Pittsburgh Opera’s 38th annual fundraising gala, Maecenas XXXVIII, returns on April 15, 2023 with Enchantment in the Garden hosted by event chairs Mr. Sri Palanisamy & Dr. Laxmi Modali.
Pittsburgh Opera's signature fundraiser gala Maecenas is the social event not to be missed. It is hailed by SEEN as “one of the best black-tie galas in town” and by the Tribune Review as one of Pittsburgh’s top parties of the year. Named for Gaius Maecenas, the wealthy Roman statesman and cultural patron, the Maecenas gala has developed a reputation for a spectacular environment and great entertainment.
Event Details:
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Bitz Opera Factory
(Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters)
2425 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
6:30 PM
VIP Reception
7:00 PM
Cocktails
Welcome Performance by Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists
8:00 PM
Dinner by Common Plea Catering
Awards Ceremony
Entertainment
10:00 PM
Dessert & Dancing with Gary Racan and the Studio E Band
Maecenas Award is being given to Mary Louise Gailliot and the late Henry J. Gailliot.
Lifetime Achievement Award is being given to Janet Sarbaugh.
Ticketing Levels:
Benefactor Ticket - $800/ea
“Benefactor” Ticketholders are invited to an exclusive VIP reception at 6:30PM. They also receive premier seating during dinner followed by an evening of awards, live performances, and dancing. Valet Parking is included.
Patron Ticket - $550/ea
“Patron” Ticketholders will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 7:00PM followed by dinner, desserts, and dancing. Valet Parking is included.
New Guard Benefactor Ticket - $325/ea**
Benefits same as Benefactor above.
New Guard Patron Ticket(s) at $250/ea**
Benefits same as Patron Level above.
**Must be an active New Guard Member. Join here! (Ages 21-45) *
Table Purchase - $8,000 (for 8-10 guests)
Purchasing a table allows you the freedom of inviting your friends and colleagues to experience the wonderful Maecenas Gala. Please contact Torrance Gricks via email or call (412) 281-0912 x 225 to reserve a table.
Chair 2023
Maecenas XXXVIII is graciously chaired by Pittsburgh Opera Board Member Sri Palanisamy & Dr. Laxmi Modali.
2023 Host Committee
Host Committee
- Michele Fabrizi
- Hon. Nora Barry Fischer and Dr. Donald R. Fischer
- Dr. R. Kent Galey and Dr. Karen Roche
- Drs. Athan and Lydia Contis Georgiades
- Paul J. Gitnik
- Lisa Haley Huff
- Dr. Robert J. Sclabassi and Dr. Sharon E Sclabassi
- Steve Seibert and Charlie Anderson
- Eugene Welsh and Martin Healey
To join the Host Committee, please contact Torrance Gricks via email or at 412-281-0912.
2023 Sponsors
Pittsburgh Opera gratefully thanks our generous Maecenas XXXVII sponsors:
Gold Sponsor ($25,000 +)
Federated Hermes
Silver Sponsor ($15,000 +)
Pearl Sponsor ($10,000 +)
Amy & Dave Michaliszyn
Bronze Sponsor ($5,000 +)
DT Midstream
Viatris
Bill & Vivian Benter
To learn how you or your organization can help sponsor future Maecenas events and support Pittsburgh Opera's mission, contact Torrance Gricks via email or at 412-281-0912 x225.
2023 Award Winners
Annually, Maecenas galas celebrate a successful season for Pittsburgh Opera, as well as recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to the performing arts in Pittsburgh or within their respective fields. Each year a few worthy recipients receive Awards from Pittsburgh Opera. Our 2023 recipients are:
Maecenas Award – Mary Louise Gailliot and the late Henry J. Gailliot
Lifetime Achievement Award – Janet Sarbaugh, former Vice President, Creativity Program, Heinz Endowments
Maecenas Award History
The event’s namesake, Gaius Maecenas, was friend to the first Emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus, and a celebrated patron to such artists of his time as Horace and Virgil. Today his name is synonymous with “patron of the arts.” Pittsburgh Opera’s Maecenas Award is bestowed upon benefactors whose exceptional dedication to our work ensures that live opera can thrive in Pittsburgh.
Previous award honorees include:
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Nadine E. Bognar
- Dr. Jared L. Cohon
- Governor Tom Corbett
- First Lady Susan Corbett
- Robert Nutting
- Vincent Sarni
- Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Donald Cardinal Wuerl
Maecenas Award
- François J. Bitz
- Electra and James R. Agras
- Michele and Pat Atkins
- Nadine E. Bognar
- Carol R. Brown
- Tony Bucci
- Kathleen Casey Craig
- Daya
- Michele Fabrizi
- Teresa Heinz Kerry
- Dr. Arthur S. Levine
- Jeffrey Lipton
- Carol and Joseph A. Massaro, Jr.
- Dr. Andrew W. Moore
- Thomas H. O’Brien
- Mark Pasquerilla
- Jan and Dick Pagliari
- Kathe and Jim Patrinos
- David Porges
- Jeffrey Romoff
- Vincent A. Sarni
- Nancy and John Traina
- Doris Carson Williams
- PNC
Renaissance Award
- Mary Cardwell Dawson
- Stephanie Blythe
- Maestro Richard Bonynge
- Tito Capobianco
- Marianne Cornetti
- Vivica Genaux
- Nathan Gunn
- Christopher Hahn
- Jake Heggie
- Marilyn Horne
- Terrence McNally
- Sherrill Milnes
- Claudia Pinza
- Roberta Peters
- Mildred Miller Posvar
- Regina Resnik
- General Norman Schwarzkopf
- Renata Scotto
- Beverly Sills
- Dame Joan Sutherland
- Shirlee Verrett
- Joe Volpe
Past Chairs
- Chris Pritchard
- Electra and James R. Agras
- Barbara L. Barry
- Ritchie Battle
- Vivian and Bill Benter
- Sandra L. Bettor
- Nadine E. Bognar
- Maryanne dePalma and Howard Burnett
- Barbara and Gerald Chait
- Lisa M. Cibik and Bernie Kobosky
- Lisa M. Cibik and Ali Good
- Pamela Estes and James Ferry
- Cindy and Murry Gerber
- Laura and Claude Kronk
- Bonnie Levine
- Shelly and Jeffery Lipton
- Carol and Joseph A. Massaro, Jr.
- Patricia and Attila Molnar
- Christine Toretti Olson
- Jan and Dick Pagliari
- Kathe and Jim Patrinos
- Gabriela and David Porges
- Dottie and Vincent A. Sarni
- Teri and Damien Soffer
- Saundra and William Stout
- James Will
- Gillian and David Williams
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