Enjoying "La Festa della Musica" are, left to right, Sebastiano Cardi, Deputy Head of Mission of the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; co-chair and trustee, Lane Young; NEC president Tony Woodcock; Teresa Abbundo Stellino; co-chair and overseer, Debbie Smith; and Liborio Stellino, Consul General of Italy and Honorary Chair of the gala event. (Photo by Miro Vintoniv)

The New England Conservatory's annual Feast of Music, "La Festa della Musica," attracted 450 guests and raised $500,000 for scholarships. Held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston and featuring an Italian theme, the sold-out February 28 gala "evoked the sun, the art, the pleasures of the table, and the music of Italy."

Considered the Conservatory's most important fundraiser and one of "Boston's Top 10 Parties," the Feast paired a sumptuous dinner with performances by Conservatory students. Since 1997, the elegant gala has attracted Boston's prominent business leaders and cultural philanthropists, raising more than $2.6 million.

This year, the event featured an online auction of various luxury items. Among the offerings was a trip to Parma to hear the music of Verdi in the Teatro Regio, one of Italy's most celebrated opera houses.

"La Festa della Musica" benefited from the extraordinary assistance of Liborio Stellino, the Consul General of Italy. Among the many sponsors were the Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian Government Tourist Board and the Italian Trade Commission.

The menu was designed by two celebrity chefs from Parma: Ugo Romani, founder of Ristorante Romani, and Alberto Rossetti of Al Tramezzo. Parma is legendary for its food, so guests were indulged with such mouthwatering specialties as Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and "Rosa di Parma," a filet of beef with black Gragno truffles.

To call attention to the art of the Parma region, an early work by the Bolognese painter Il Guercino entitled "La Madonna della Ghiara" was loaned for the occasion by Renato Miracco, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. It was on display at the gala.

As for the music, one could hardly celebrate Italy and Parma without the region's favorite son, Giuseppe Verdi. NEC opera students obliged with the famous drinking song, "Libiamo" from "La Traviata" and Leonora's aria "Tacea la notte" from "Il Trovatore."

In addition, NEC instrumentalists performed works of Vivaldi, Giovanni Gabrieli, and Paganini. NEC's new Youth Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Ken Schaphorst, made its debut performing the famous Nelson Riddle arrangement of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin."

For information about the Conservatory and upcoming events and programs, be sure to visit www.newenglandconservatory.edu.

Kowloon Restaurant Hosting "An Evening with Jim Rice"

We are all invited to "An Evening with Jim Rice" at the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus on Tuesday, April 7. Hosted by NECN's Chris Collins, the event will be an opportunity to congratulate the newest Red Sox legend to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Johnny Pesky, Dennis Eckersley, Bill Spaceman Lee and Luis Tiant, along with many other legends and current players, will all share intimate stories about Jim and his accomplishments.

Admission includes the Super Kowloon Buffet. For admission costs and more information, call 781-233-0077 or visit www.kowloonrestaurant.com.

City Golf Courses Opening for the Season

Mayor Thomas M. Menino has announced that the City of Boston's two municipal golf courses will both be open for business this weekend. The William Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park in Dorchester, which has had nine holes open since early March, will open all 18 holes; while the George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park will also open for the season this Saturday, March 28.

Both golf courses are available for tournaments of any size and offer catering services on the premises. In addition, memberships are now available at both locations.

The second-oldest public golf course in America, the William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park measures 5,961 yards from the blue tees. Part of the historic Emerald Necklace, the golf course offers a pleasant inner-city golfing experience only minutes from downtown Boston. Contact PGA Professional Jessie Hodge at 617-265-4084 for more information or to book a tee time.

Founded in 1938, the 18-hole Donald Ross-designed George Wright Golf Course is a hidden gem in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. The course is open seven days a week through November. This par 70 layout measures 6,440 yards from the back tees and is a challenge to golfers of any level. Since taking over management of the facility in 2004, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department has restored this renowned course to its original beauty. PGA Professional Scott Allen is on hand to answer any questions. For more information or to reserve a tee time please call 617-364-2300.

Please contact the PGA Professionals mentioned above for more information on memberships and tournaments.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
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