Beloved L.A. Philanthropist Carol Henry to be Honored at Camerata Pacifica’s Gala

Carol Henry, a beloved philanthropist whose extraordinary generosity has touched numerous arts organizations in Los Angeles, will be celebrated by L.A.’s glitterati at Camerata Pacifica’s sparkling gala on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. The historic venue will be transformed into a palace of baroque splendor for an unforgettable evening of dazzling entertainment with Venezuelan-born male soprano superstar Samuel Mariño headlining a performance of baroque favorites with musicians of Camerata Pacifica, just days after his highly anticipated U.S. debut with the ensemble. Guests will also savor a gourmet dinner and fine wines. The black-tie optional gala has been completely underwritten so revenues from tickets and donations will directly benefit Camerata Pacifica, considered one of the nation’s leading chamber ensembles and celebrated for its adventurous programming.

“Carol Henry has been a pillar of support for music across the Southland,” says Camerata Pacifica Artistic Director Adrian Spence. “She is an avid concertgoer and arts booster who is incredibly passionate about the arts. She has served on the boards of numerous arts organizations, and regularly opens her Pasadena home for fundraisers and arts events. Carol, along with her late husband, Warner Henry, has also generously supported local music organizations large and small for more than 40 years, making her an invaluable part of LA’s cultural fabric.”

Carol Henry earned both Bachelor and Masters of Arts in education from Stanford University and taught in the Manhattan Beach school system until 1966 when she married Warner Henry. Carol’s volunteer career began with her involvement with the Junior League of Los Angeles in 1970. Since then, she has served on numerous community boards, including KCET Women’s Council, The National Council on Alcoholism, Cate School, Teach for America, Los Angeles Opera League, Pasadena Art Alliance and Art Center College of Design. Additionally, she has been a member of the Board of LA Opera since 1985 and served as president or chairman of the Executive Committee since 2005. On the Opera Board, she has also chaired the Development, Patron, Nominating and 20th Anniversary committees.

Samuel Mariño has been hailed as “a rarity in opera” (New York Times). His unique, brilliant, agile, and sparkling voice, paired with his musical expertise, enable him to undertake the most demanding forms of the classical vocal repertoire. Born in 1993, he began his studies in piano and voice at the National Conservatory in Caracas, also studying ballet at the National School of Dance in Venezuela. His first operatic experience was with the Camerata Barroca in Caracas, where he had the opportunity to work with conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, Helmuth Rilling, and Theodore Kuchar. It was there that his passion and affinity for the baroque repertoire was ignited, inspiring him to further his studies at the Conservatoire de Paris. He is currently closely mentored by the renowned soprano Barbara Bonney and the recipient of a scholarship by the Rotary Club of Salzburg. At his young age, Samuel Mariño has already portrayed some of the most monumental roles in baroque and classical opera and oratorio, including works by Monteverdi, Handel, Porpora, Vivaldi, Hasse, Mozart, and Salieri.

Camerata Pacifica’s gala’s leadership gift was provided by Eva and Marc Stern. The performances are underwritten by Jerry and Terri Kohl. The design and décor are underwritten by Alyce Williamson.

The Planning Committee includes Chair Jennifer Diener and members William T. Kennedy, Kali Kopley Henry, John Nuckols, Nancy Sanders, Eric Small, Kimberley Valentine, and Alyce Williamson. The Celebration Committee members are Lynn Booth, Janet Ciriello, Alice Coulombe, Annette Ermshar, Georgianna Erskine, Connie Gavin, Joan H. Hotchkis, Terri Kohl, Diane Morton, Eva Stern, and Geneva Thornton.

For gala tickets ($1,500/person) and information, call (805) 884-8410 or visit www.cameratapacifica.org. Vibiana is located at 214 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012.

Camerata Pacifica, considered one of the nation’s leading chamber ensembles, has captivated, delighted, and enthralled audiences with its adventurous music since its inception in 1990. Hailed as “innovative and intrepid” (The Daily Telegraph), “visceral and powerful” (The Economist), the collective, comprised of virtuoso musicians from around the globe, is renowned for its musical versatility and bold programming that illuminates the limitless scope of the chamber music repertoire. Camerata Pacifica presents heritage works beside less familiar music and commissioned pieces. Its considerable commissioning portfolio includes more than 20 works by such established and rising composers as John Harbison, Jake Heggie, Huang Ruo, Lera Auerbach, Bright Sheng, Ian Wilson, David Bruce, and John Luther Adams. Three new commissions for the ensemble are currently in process from Clarice Assad, Libby Larsen, and Niloufar Nourbakhsh. The chamber collective has also been lauded for its warm and engaging rapport with audiences, bringing context and immediacy to the music it performs. Based in Santa Barbara, California, the ensemble enjoys a busy performance schedule throughout Southern California and beyond. Camerata Pacifica presents a flagship series of nine programs each season, showcasing its exceptional musicians as well as a range of distinguished guest artists. Each program is structured as a week-long residency with the ensemble performing in four Southern California locales: The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall in San Marino; The Colburn School’s Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles; the Museum of Ventura County in Ventura; and Santa Barbara’s Music Academy. The chamber ensemble has previously toured to Hong Kong and appeared at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., Morgan Library & Museum in New York City, and major concert halls in London, Dublin and Belfast. Camerata Pacifica was founded by Artistic Director Adrian Spence, an acclaimed “high-flying flautist” (The Irish Times) applauded for his “unstoppable energy, his organizational genius, his taste in music and musicians” (Noozhawk). A native of Northern Ireland, Spence’s keen artistic sensibilities are evident in every aspect of Camerata Pacifica, from the ensemble’s stellar roster of international chamber artists and thoughtfully curated musical offerings, to its authentic connection with audiences. He also sets the tone for the deep comradery among the collective’s musicians, which is evident both on and off stage.

In addition to its busy performance schedule, Camerata Pacifica is committed to serving the community. In 2021, Camerata Pacifica, in collaboration with UCLA Health, developed The Nightingale Channel, a landmark resource for hospitals providing programming drawn from the ensemble’s extensive video library of its performances delivered via iPads to patient bedsides and care teams. Based on the well-documented positive effects of music in healing, The Nightingale Channel has been adopted by UCLA Health, UC Davis Health, Keck Medicine at USC, Loma Linda University Medical Center, City of Hope National Medical Center, and Augusta University Health, and is being introduced to other hospitals across the country.