San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala

Audra McDonald rocked the San Francisco Symphony’s 102nd Season Opening Gala.  Well, “rocked” may not be the appropriate description for the Grammy and Tony Award winning soprano soloist.  But she did bring the crowd to its feet with performances from the American songbook including “Somewhere” by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim from West Side Story and “The Music that Makes Me Dance” from the always memorable Funny Girl by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.

The San Francisco Symphony kicked off the start of its 102nd season on September 3 with an exhilarating evening. Festivities began on the red carpet of Davies Symphony Hall, where guests arrived clad in chic black tie attire. Music director Michael Tilson Thomas led the orchestra in George Gershwin’s An American in Paris, then soprano McDonald joined him onstage with her delightful performance.

Following the performance, guests enjoyed a rare warm San Francisco evening as they headed over to the tented pavilion near Symphony Hall for post-concert desserts, DJs and dancing that capped off the benefit for the San Francisco Symphony’s education programs.

Here is a look at some of our favorite moments from the classic evening.

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