San Francisco Symphony Opening Night 2017

The red carpet scene on opening night at San Francisco Symphony:

Samantha DuVall Bechtel

George Shultz, Sergio Arroyo and Charlotte Shultz

Rebecca Lin

Kaitlyn Krieger

Ann Getty, Gordon Getty and Vanessa Getty

Sunny Saxena, Allison Doyle, Laura Jacobsen, Meredith Tan, Andrea Reeder, Amanda Coffee, Adirenne Allen, Megan Tracy, Annie Buckman, Brianna Haag and Kevin Yeh

Paula Carano and Nicole Curran

Marissa Mayer in Gucci

Bernard Tyson and Denise Tyson

Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein

Prisca Geeslin and Catherine Geeslin

Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas launched the San Francisco Symphony 2017–18 season with a spectacular concert and gala featuring superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma on September 14, 2017. Opening night celebrations included pre-performance cocktail receptions and dinners and a lively afterparty.

What I like most about the Symphony Opening Night Gala is that it is inclusive rather than exclusive. All ticketholders are welcomed with warm hospitality throughout the evening. Complimentary wine flowed starting at 7 pm in Davies Symphony Hall. Immediately following the concert program that included Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1, and an unforgettable and dramatic Ravel’s Boléro, all spirits flowed freely.

The indoor-outdoor afterparty brought two stages of live music entertainment, including a set by DJL!. Some of San Francisco’s best restaurants and bars such as Top of the Mark, The Dorian, Palm House, Le Soleil, Maybeck’s, Alta, Sutro’s at the Cliff House, Salt & Straw, and Slice House served party-time favorites.

Scenes from opening night at San Francisco Symphony:

Yo-Yo Ma and Michael Tilson Thomas with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra on opening night 2017

Lucy Wu

Stephanie Marver

Maria Krasnov and Abraham Valentino

Rosina Sun, Jamie Chen, Eliza Cash, Cori Bates and Gorretti Lo Lui

Angella Sprauve and Ada Garcia

Lydia Haile

Pierrre Lamond, Christine Lamond, David Lamond and Kelsey Lamond

Matt Cohler and Pia Cohler

Pamela Kramlich and Dick Kramlich

Lisa Grotts and Komal Shah

Joshua Robison and Sabrina Buell

Lisa Goldman and Doug Goldman

Maria Barrios, Teresa Rodriguez and Sharon Seto

Jessica Fisher, Emma Fisher and Rose Fisher

Susie Tompkins Buell and Mark Buell

The San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala Committee

Did you catch Red Carpet Bay Area’s live Facebook videos from the event? Click here for our photos during intermission and at the afterparty.

Red Carpet Bay Area salutes the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala Committee:

Gala Chair: Priscilla B. Geeslin
Honorary Chairs: Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem
Wattis Room Dinner Co-Chairs: Ann Paras and Joelle Benioff
Symphony Supper Co-chairs: Heidi Bjornson-Pennell and Dr. Manjula Noone
Symphonix Dinner Party Chairs: Logan & Elizabeth Allin and Nicholas & Meredith Tan
After-Party Co-chairs: Annie Dreshfield, Cate McDonough, and Sharon Seto

The Red Carpet Bay Area team that captured the action:

Marybeth La Motte

Joanna Hidalgo

Jeffrey Hipona and Vivi Andrijani

Photos by Drew Altizer, Jana Asenbrennerova, Andrew Caulfield, Jessica Monroy, Devlin Shand, Tara Stevens, Vasna Wilson for Drew Altizer Photography

Jeffrey Hipona and Vivi Andrijani for Red Carpet Bay Area

— Related — Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of past San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala events:

2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008