Social Seens... Photography by Gram and Noraa
Opera Tampa Gala
The Opera Tampa League’s Opera Gala at the Straz Center in Tampa included a concert conducted by its founding artistic
director Anton Coppola, who was celebrating his 100th birthday. At the dinner that followed, Diana Soviero, who is among the
world’s greatest singing actresses, was presented with the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award in celebration of her
efforts to build and maintain the operatic art form.
Diane and Ignacio Ferras III were the chairs
of the 2017 Opera Tampa Gala, where
Maestro Anton Coppola celebrated
MAY/JUNE 2017
his 100th birthday.
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 167
Gina d’Angelo, chair of the Opera League’s
board of directors, and her husband,
Dr. Barry Levine of Florida Health Care News
were gala sponsors.
Mardy and Charlene Gordon, who were
patrons of the gala, donated a Three Graces
Shell Cameo to the live auction in support
of Opera Tampa.
Dr. Yi-Hwa Outerbridge and Felix Cannella Jr.
were the presenting sponsors of this
year’s Opera Gala that featured
Maestro Anton Coppola.
Warren Rodgers and his wife, Opera League
board member Dr. Zena Lansky, were a table
sponsor at the gala.
Charles Simmons and his wife Faith “Cookie”
Simmons have sponsored the Anton Coppola
Excellence in the Arts Award since its inception.