HomeARTSOn Stage at The...

On Stage at The Met Gala Spotlighting Honoree Barbara Tober


The capacity crowd was seated on stage surrounded by the sets of Puccini’s final opera Turandot, designed by the legendary Franco Zeffirelli. The honoree declared, “You may ask yourself why Barbara Tober – NOT an opera singer – is On Stage at The Met tonight. Good question! I have been going to the Opera since I was eight years old. I began to appreciate the music and the power of the stories as I grew older. That power, and life’s soaring passions of love, hate and longing, began to influence my world. Then, sad reality came crashing in a few years ago and I dedicated those seven glorious Lobmeyr lobby chandeliers to my beloved husband Donald after he passed away in January 2021, so his spirit could forever soar with the music he loved so much. Opera is about the blood and guts of life, and the essence of humanity’s passions, emotions, and exhilarations. It is where reality and fantasy blend dramatically to move the soul as well as one’s aesthetic senses. Thirty years as Editor in Chief of Brides magazine convinced me that love does indeed ‘move mountains’ and hate can separate the very oceans of humanity. For that very reason, the stars of the opera are passionately committed to their art, their voices, and to the responsibility they have to their audiences all over the world.”

Turandot, An Italian fantasy occurring in a fairy tale part of China was perfect for Barbara as it ended with a grand wedding. There was a table for Barbara’s past colleagues, as well as a table for her personal staff, who she has endearingly named “Toberville.”

“I am thrilled to announce this year we have raised over $1.5 million!” said Ann Ziff, Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera’s Board of Directors.

“While we are here basking under the glow of the Donald Gibbs Tober chandeliers, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our gala leaders who have helped bring this evening together and make it such a success, including Elizabeth Segerstrom, who joined Barbara and me as Gala Underwriter. Quite a few of you here tonight are regular attendees of On Stage at the Met.  I want you to know how much we appreciate your dedicated support of this unique event. It is always a pleasure to share our phenomenal stage with our loyal Patrons and good friends. I encourage you to keep coming back. And for those of you visiting the Met for the first time tonight, I hope to see you return many times in the future.”

Ann Ziff _ Credit BFA and PMC/Sean Getty

“We’re honoring a legend in her own time, one of the Met’s most loyal patrons and a true Renaissance woman, Barbara Tober,” said Peter Gelb, the Metropolitan Opera’s Maria Manetti Shrem General Manager. “It was on this historic stage that Barbara and her beloved late husband Donald danced the night away at past galas. Luciano Pavarotti and Leontyne Price once reigned. The Met will continue to flourish thanks to the support, devotion, and generosity of Barbara and everyone in this room.”

The evening included performances by Met stars SeokJong Baek, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Ryan Speedo Green, Clémentine Margaine, Ailyn Pérez, and Elena Villalón.

Anthony Roth Costanzo _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty

Sitting on stage were over 400 guests including Afsaneh Akhtari, Marika and Neil Bender, Gigi and Harry Benson, soprano Angel Blue, Millie Bratten and John Bratten, Tina Berrero, City Council Member Gala Brewer, Joan Hardy Clark, Bonnie Comley and Stewart Lane, Suzi Cordish, Judith-Ann Corrente, NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, Machine Dazzle, Layla Diba, Joel Ehrenkranz, Elizabeth and Jean-Marie Eveillard, Alexandra Fairweather and Eric Goodman, Prudence Fairweather, soprano Renée Fleming, Lee Fryd, April Gow, Susan Gutfreund, Sylvia Hemingway, Marifé Hernandez and Joel Bell, bass Soloman Howard, Susan Jaffe, Yue-Sai Kan, Angela and Thomas Keesee, LaVon Kellner and Tom Roush, Michele Gerber Klein, Helen Little, Tinu Naija, Philippe Petit and Judith Friedlaender, Sana Sabbagh, Adrianne and William Silver, Tommy Soros, Ruben Toledo, Andrew Martin Weber, Jacqueline Weld, Damian Woetzel, and Marcella Guarino Hymowitz (dressed in a vintage 70’s Bob Mackie creation originally for Lauren Hutton).

Allan Pollack, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Nikki Haskell, Yue-Sai Kan and Marshall Watson_ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Afsaneh Akhtari_credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Alexandra Bauman, Mitch Mitchell and Joseph Tinari _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Ann Ziff _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Cory Toeves and Daisy Soros _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Chase Cornett and Carla Jablonski _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Robin Brown and Anthony Roth Costanzo _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty

ABOUT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA

Under the leadership of Peter Gelb, the Met’s Maria Manetti Shrem General Manager, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director, the Metropolitan Opera is one of America’s leading performing arts organizations and a vibrant home for the world’s most creative and talented artists, including singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers. The company presents approximately 200 performances each season of a wide variety of operas, ranging from early masterpieces to contemporary works.

Atmosphere_ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Atmosphere _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty
Atmosphere _ Credit Patrick McMullan
Atmosphere _ Credit BFA and PMC/Getty

In recent years, the Met has launched many initiatives designed to make opera more accessible, most prominently the Live in HD series of cinema transmissions, which dramatically expands the Met audience by allowing select performances to be seen in more than 50 countries around the world.Sincerely,

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

1 COMMENT

  1. I’m very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.

Comments are closed.

More from Author

Top 10 Beauty Supplements for Skin and Hair

Maintaining healthy, radiant skin and strong, lustrous hair goes beyond topical...

Natural Ways to Tighten Sagging Skin on Face

As we age, the skin on our face naturally loses elasticity...

Best Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers for Summer

Summer can be tough on your skin—heat, humidity, sweat, and excess...

Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands Available in India

As awareness around ethical beauty grows, more consumers in India are...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Top 10 Beauty Supplements for Skin and Hair

Maintaining healthy, radiant skin and strong, lustrous hair goes beyond topical care. Nutrition plays a crucial role in enhancing the appearance and vitality of your skin and hair from within. Beauty supplements, formulated with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, have gained popularity as an effective way to...

Natural Ways to Tighten Sagging Skin on Face

As we age, the skin on our face naturally loses elasticity and firmness due to decreased collagen and elastin production. While this is a natural part of aging, many people seek gentle, non-invasive solutions to maintain a youthful appearance. The good news is, you don’t always need...

Best Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers for Summer

Summer can be tough on your skin—heat, humidity, sweat, and excess oil all contribute to clogged pores and unwanted breakouts. That’s why switching to non-comedogenic moisturizers is a smart move. These lightweight formulas hydrate your skin without blocking your pores, making them ideal for all skin types—especially...

Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands Available in India

As awareness around ethical beauty grows, more consumers in India are choosing cruelty-free makeup brands—products developed without animal testing and often formulated with natural, sustainable ingredients. Switching to cruelty-free cosmetics supports animal welfare and encourages more responsible manufacturing practices. If you’re in India and want to embrace ethical...

How to Fix Cakey Makeup Throughout the Day

Cakey makeup can be one of the most frustrating challenges for anyone wanting a flawless look that lasts all day. Whether it’s foundation settling into fine lines, powders appearing dry and patchy, or concealer flaking off, cakey makeup can quickly ruin your confidence and overall appearance. Fortunately, with...

Long-Lasting Waterproof Mascaras for Humid Weather

Humidity can wreak havoc on makeup—especially mascara. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to the gym, or spending the day outdoors, the last thing you want is smudged, melted, or raccoon-like eyes. That’s where long-lasting waterproof mascaras come in. Formulated to resist water, sweat, and humidity, waterproof mascaras...

Daily Skincare Routine for Teenage Boys

Teenage years can be challenging when it comes to skincare. Hormonal changes lead to oilier skin, acne breakouts, and other common skin issues. Developing a proper skincare routine early on can help teenage boys maintain healthy skin, prevent acne, and build lifelong habits. This guide breaks down...

How to Contour a Round Face for Beginners

Contouring is a makeup technique that uses light and dark shades to define and sculpt the face. For those with round faces, contouring can help add definition, enhance cheekbones, and create the illusion of a more oval or elongated shape. If you're a beginner, learning how to...

Anti-Aging Night Creams for Women Over 40

As women enter their 40s, the skin begins to show more visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and loss of firmness. This natural process is influenced by hormonal changes, slower collagen production, and years of exposure to environmental stressors. Anti-aging night creams are specially...

Anti-Pollution Skincare Products for City Living

City living has many perks: convenience, culture, and connectivity. However, one major downside is the constant exposure to pollution. Airborne toxins, dust, smoke, and particulate matter can have damaging effects on the skin, leading to premature aging, dullness, inflammation, and clogged pores. Fortunately, anti-pollution skincare has emerged...

Programy Lojalnościowe w Kasynach Polska

Popularne metody płatności w Polsce slottyway2.com to BLIK, Przelewy24 oraz PayU. Gracze szukają kasyn z wysokim RTP i korzystnymi warunkami bonusowymi. Odpowiedzialna gra to ważny factor w każdym kasynie online. Kasyna na żywo umożliwiają kontakt z prawdziwym krupierem. Nowe kasyna online przyciągają graczy innowacyjnymi bonusami. Ruletka...

Przyszłość Kasyn Online w Polsce

Ruletka pozostaje jedną z najstarszych i najbardziej lubianych gier kasynowych. Gracze mogą korzystać z bonusów powitalnych i darmowych spinów. Kasyna z licencją zapewniają legalną i bezpieczną rozrywkę. Nowe kasyna online przyciągają graczy innowacyjnymi bonusami. Gracze mogą korzystać z bonusów powitalnych i darmowych spinów. Salamander online rozwija...