The American Friends Of The Paris Opera And Ballet Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary

[All photos by JONATHON ZIEGLER for PMc] Last night at the French Consulate, the movers and shakers in the arts world gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the American Friends of the Paris Opera and Ballet.-

The consul general de France, Phillipe Lalloit, hosted the event and recital, welcoming the likes of musician Rufus Wainwright, socialite Olivia Flatto, and NYC Ballet principal dancer Ashley Brouder. Of course, tipsters are all atwitter about Brouder's appearance at the event, worried that the Paris Ballet might be stealing away one of New York's treasured dancers... Aurelie Dupont and Mathias Heymann from Paris performed, and were breathtaking.

The purpose of the American Friends of the Paris Opera & Ballet is to share the many treasures of the Paris Opera directly with the American public and to foster artistic cooperation between the Paris Opera and the creative community in the Unite States.

Rufus Wainwright, Gonzalo Garcia, Ken Tabachnick.

Elizabeth Marriott, Andre Larquie, Aim Benedict

Hedwig Pichot, Tristan Guigue, Christine Suadan

Philippe Lalliot, Jason S. Bridges

Jeffrey Kazin, Ashley Bouder, Christopher Pennington

Susan Gutfreund, Andre Dunstetter, Agnes Kress, May Reilly