Feeding Opera Pacific’s Coffers

Maestro John DeMain has his formula for success down cold: Prepare ahead; present a classic.

Not only with music, mind you, but with the sort of Italian supper that DeMain--new music director of Opera Pacific--whipped up last week for Orange County opera buffs.

Working with his wife, Barbara, in the stylish Newport Coast home of Opera Pacific general director Patrick L. Veitch, DeMain topped tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella, roasted a marinated leg of lamb and sliced up a mocha rum chocolate cake. Other summer classics: penne pasta with salsa crudo (cold tomato sauce) and fagiolini Verdi (cold string beans with dill dressing).

“The secret to a successful supper is advance preparation,” said DeMain, as he stood over the kitchen sink, picking through a clump of fresh basil. “We were here last night getting the sauces going.”

As leader of the Madison Symphony in Wisconsin--and artistic director of the Madison Opera--DeMain has made it his business to become acquainted with patrons of the arts. An effective way to do that, he has found, is to entertain in a private home.

Regularly, the couple cook for small groups of patrons. “One time, we did seven parties in 10 days,” said Barbara DeMain. “We love to cook, and we love to entertain.”

All the better for Opera Pacific, whose Gourmet Diners Guild featured the couple in its Festival of Dining series. The festival--which features themed dinners, most of them at private residences--nets about $20,000 annually for the opera company.

“People love to come to these affairs,” said John DeMain, who will conduct “Cosi Fan Tutti” for Opera Pacific in March at Segerstrom Hall.

“A lot of the people who are coming tonight, for example, have been heavy hitters over the years with Opera Pacific. And even though they have to purchase a dinner reservation [at $150 per person], it is also a thank you from us, a chance to get to know us in a more intimate way.”

DeMain is no stranger to Opera Pacific. He conducted its maiden production, “Porgy and Bess,” in 1987 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. And he has returned four times since then, leading the orchestra for “Tosca,” “Faust,” “Aida” and “Die Fledermus.”

But as its new music director, DeMain--along with his wife--is eager to become better acquainted with Opera Pacific’s benefactors.

“The nice thing about these parties is you get to really carry on a conversation,” said Barbara DeMain. “You get beyond the phrase ‘Nice to meet you.’ That has become more important in these times where we’re all looking for a little individual attention. We’re all invited to so many events. We need this personalized kick to get motivated.”

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Jazz was on the stereo when the 24 guests arrived at the two-story home of Veitch, former leader of the Australian Opera. Guests were invited to step onto the patio and lawn areas, where four dinner tables had been draped with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths.

There they received goblets of wine. Many of them drifted back into the house, where Veitch’s chocolate Labrador, Baker, wandered about. There was plenty to see: Veitch’s etchings of art venues around the world and his collection of Chinese and Japanese robes.

“There are ways to raise money that aren’t torturous--don’t feel like somebody is pulling out your fingernails,” noted Veitch as he mingled with guests. “The opera crowd here in Orange County likes to have a good time while doing good.”

Also included in the festival dinner series is “Romantic Melodies--Vive La Vie Boheme” on Aug. 30, where guests will dine on French cuisine at the Emerald Bay home of opera supporters Maria and Ray Francis; a “Tosca”-themed supper featuring Italian fare on Sept. 13 at the home of Ginny and Ledge Hale of Newport Coast; and an excursion to the Laguna Pageant of the Masters on Aug. 17, followed by supper on the pageant grounds, sponsored by Mary Barbe--chairwoman of Opera Pacific’s Gourmet Diners Guild--and her husband, Louis.

“Louis and I became involved with the Opera Pacific guild three years ago,” said Mary Barbe of Newport Beach. “It has helped make opera more socially rewarding. Now we know people we can sit with, share a performance. We feel like we’re part of the community.”

For more information: (714) 474-4488.