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Festival Napa Valley will honor Gordon Getty, a legend of the arts world and one of the Festival’s founding benefactors, at its Angels of the Arts Gala, to take place at San Francisco War Memorial’s Green Room on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The elegant evening includes intimate musical performances, a gourmet dinner, Napa wines, and tributes from vintners and world-renowned artists.
The Angels of the Arts Award is Festival Napa Valley’s highest honor, celebrating outstanding contributions to the arts.
"It is our great honor to pay tribute to Gordon Getty during his celebratory birthday year,” said Festival Napa Valley President and CEO Rick Walker in announcing the award. “Gordon’s artistry and generosity have made a profound impact on audiences and arts organizations across the globe, and we are proud of our association with him as an artistic partner, supporter, vintner, and most of all, friend.”
The Gala takes place at San Francisco War Memorial’s storied Green Room, in the heart of the city where Getty was born and where he discovered and honed his passion for music. Guests will enjoy a spectacular dinner prepared by culinary stars Sarah and Evan Rich, the duo behind San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Rich Table. Each course will be paired with wines from Festival Napa Valley’s partner wineries.
Among the evening’s performers are sopranos Alexandra Armantrading, Lisa Delan, and Melody Moore; mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade; tenor Nathan Granner; baritone Lester Lynch; pianist Kevin Korth; and composer Jake Heggie.
Getty’s compositions have been performed to critical acclaim around the world, with some of the most memorable performances having taken place in California. The San Francisco Symphony premiered his first opera, Plump Jack, in 1984, San Francisco Opera gave the U.S. premiere of his opera Usher House in 2014, and Festival Napa Valley presented the world premiere of his opera reimagined for film, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, in 2021.
For more information about the Angels of the Arts Gala, please contact concierge@festivalnapavalley.org.