The Riverside Chapter of Lyric Opera of Chicago presented “A Night at the Opera” at the Riverside Golf Club Jan. 20. Tina Beverly, coloratura soprano and Paul Sawyer Corona, bass, joined Harriet Marty in presenting a program of operatic and contemporary music for the guests.

“A Night at the Opera” was a tribute to Harriet Marty, who has served the Riverside Chapter in various positions for several years.
Among those attending from sister chapters was Margaret Fournier, president of the Hinsdale Chapter. Also attending from the Hinsdale Chapter were the Honorable Angelo Mistretta and his wife, Ruth, and Jorge and Betriz Iorgulescu of Buenos Aires and Oak Brook.

Former Riversider Richard Greenman served as Master of Ceremonies. He is president of the Riverside Chapter Board for the years 2006-07. Membership Chairman Deanne Kalamaras took charge of the silent auction, then left for South Beach, Fla. and the Super Bowl. “We didn’t attend the game, but saw it in Fort Lauderdale,” she said.

Also seen at the party were Dr. Jay VanCura and his wife, Joyce, who holds several positions on the Riverside Chapter Board of Directors including Community Relations, Publicity, Library and Education committee chair, as well as serving as a member of the Chapter’s Executive Board of Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Enjoying the musical program were former Hauser Junior High School teacher Rosemary Pietrzak, Lolly Unger, another junior high teacher there with her daughter Nancy Scott, Jean Turnmire who reported visiting with former Riversider Sarah MacMurraugh Toohey in California this past summer. Sarah Toohey served as the head of Clarion, the Riverside-Brookfield High School newspaper before moving to California.

In 1959 Riverside Chapter of Lyric Opera of Chicago was organized, one of six chapters to receive their charters. Included were West Suburban (La Grange, La Grange Park, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Western Springs), Glencoe, Lake Forest, River Forest, St. Katherine’s School in Davenport, Iowa. However, the chapters did not receive their charters until Nov. 17, 1960.

Over the past thirty years, Riverside Chapter has done much to educate its members about the unique artistic qualities of opera.

For information relative to either joining the Riverside Chapter or obtaining more information, check the Lyric Opera Web site at www.lyricopera.org or call the Chapter Office of Lyric Opera of Chicago at (312) 827-5673.