If you are not quite versed in Opera, the best way to assimilate into the culture is by being lucky enough to attend an Opera function where you get a taste of the people and the art form.  On Wednesday, May 11, The Florida Grand Opera held an event at the Gary Nader Gallery in the Wynwood district of Miami.

This cocktail party was meant to help raise funds for FGO’s first Zarcuela production of Luisa Fernanda. Guests got to sip on cocktails and enjoy hors d’oeuvres while perusing art work by the very talented Fernando Botero, a prominent Hispanic artist.

The Columbian born Botero’s pieces of ranged from oil and water on canvas and graphite on paper to bronze statues. The progression from his simplistic drawings to color-infused paintings was nothing short of mesmerizing.  Fernando’s 1970 piece entitled Bodegon con Sopa de Arvejas, had a simple theme that was captivating from first glancem which focused on the setup of a picnic. Examining the painting a little closer you saw the detail of the flies swarming the food while a mouse examined its surroundings.  The food was clearly started, but the painting made you question why it was not finished or put away.

The evening wrapped up with a few words by FGO’s CEO and General Manager, Robert M. Heuer; who accepted a generous donation of $100,000 from Alvaro Martinez-Fonts, the CEO at JP Morgan Private Bank.  Mr. Martinez-Fonts spoke briefly, saying JP Morgan Private Bank is sponsoring something original that they believed in; and they have found it in Florida Grand Operas’ Zarcuela production.

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