Opera Ball!

Saturday night we went to the always glamorous Opera Ball at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence.

We snapped Kennedy Center chair David Rubenstein, here with the Washington Post’s Roxanne Roberts, who announced during his welcoming remarks that this year’s Ball had raised over a million dollars to benefit the Washington National Opera.

Newt and Callista Gingrich join Health Pro Realty Group’s Diane and Leonard Brown. The Ball was held under the patronage of Ambassador and Mrs. Kenichiro Sasae, who decorated the front of their residence with images from WNO’s recent The Magic Flute.

Brazilian Ambassador Mauro Vieira, right, with Folha De São Paulo’s Raul Lores and Minister Counselor Paulo Pacheco toast the beautiful evening and the World Cup their country is hosting starting Thursday.

An exquisite Tea House was set up in the residence, where we found Diplomatic Courier’s Alexcia Chambers and AOL’s Lauren Meeker. There was also a koi pond.

Gail Walters joins Kennedy Center International Committee members Linda and Edwin Phelps, Suzy and Bob Pence, and the Marine Corps’ Glen Walters in the tent in the residence’s gardens that had a chandelier made of 1,000 origami paper cranes.

Harlem Village Academy’s Kevin Tallat-Kelpsa, Communications Development’s Bruce and Shelley Ross Larson, and NSO trustee Sue Bentley. Guests enjoyed performances throughout the evening from famous Japanese opera singers, Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists, and the Evermay Chamber Group.

John and Antonia Gore of the WNO Women's Committee join Ayenda’s Shamim Jawad and her husband, former Afghan Ambassador Said Jawad.

The Ginsburg family: honorary trustee Ina Ginsburg is bookended by Susan Ginsburg and Mark Ginsburg.

WNO patrons Charlotte Wright, Jennifer Parker, and Joey Rossetter enjoy the tempura and sushi lounge with food prepared by the Embassy chef.