San Diego Opera to host 2012 gala and opening night of ‘Salome’

San Diego Opera’s 2012 Gala honoring La Jolla philanthropist Audrey Geisel will be held on Jan. 28 in connection with the opening of the Company’s 47th season, featuring Strauss’s “Salome.”

The black-tie event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-opera cocktail reception at the US Grant Hotel, followed by a performance of “Salome” at 7 p.m. at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

Immediately following the opera, participants will make their way back to the US Grant for ancient Middle Eastern-themed dinner and dancing with the cast.

This year’s gala will honor the 10th anniversary of Geisel’s $1 million endowment toward San Diego Opera’s Director of Education and Outreach Program.

Tickets are $1,250 per person and include the reception and dinner, plus acknowledgement in the gala program and a patron gift by Naeem Khan. Opera tickets are not included. Additional $2,500 packages include an invitation to an exclusive patron party hosted by Conrad Prebys and Debbie Turner.

To purchase gala tickets, call Jan Kaplan at (619) 232-7636 or e-mail jan.kaplan@sdopera.com