Social Seens... Photography by Gram and Noraa
Bella Voce
The St. Petersburg Opera Company’s “Bella Voce” Gala in St. Pete Beach featured a silent and live auction, dinner, dancing and
a glorious musical concert. Thirty-nine world-class musicians donated their time and talents to be part of the Bella Voce Orchestra
to help support the opera company. Vocal artists joined with them in a program conducted by Maestro Mark Sforzini. The gala
was co-chaired by Paul Woods and Jacob Jimmerson, and sponsored by Harry and Joan McCreary.
166 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2019
Mary Alice McClendon congratulated
the opera company’s board president and
season sponsor Belinda Dumont on the
success of this fundraiser.
Maestro Mark Sforzini, who masterfully
leads the St. Petersburg Opera Company,
thanked his partner Michael Roberts for
serving as the gala’s auctioneer.
Joyce and Walter Larson donated a dinner
catered by Parkshore Grill with wines
chosen by Walter for eight people to join
them at their waterfront home.
Robert Pugliese and his jewelry maker wife
Linda, who used her creative talents to
design the event’s décor, were happy to
be platinum sponsors of the evening.
Linda Saul-Sena and her husband
Mark Sena, who have done so much for
culture in Tampa, lent their support to the
St. Petersburg Opera Company.
Margaret Word Burnside and
Aaron Fodiman, publishers/editors of
Tampa Bay Magazine, enjoyed dancing to
the music of the Nate Najar Jazz Trio
at the VIP pre-party.