MN Opera’s Opening Night Gala
Ecolab World Headquarters
Elektra opened the 2019-20 Minnesota Opera season providing inspiration for the highly anticipated and ultra-chic Minnesota Opera Gala, which transported 290 guests from Ecolab World Headquarters to Athena’s City of Argos.
An operatic celebration of ancient Greek mythology and imagination, paired with Ecolab’s dramatic sky-level glass dome, was the perfect combination to re-imagine MN Opera’s opening night gala. The team, comprised of the MNOP Gala Planning Committee led by Event Chair Mary Schrock, Co-Chair Wendy Unglaub, and Event Designer Anthony Diaz, transformed the 80-foot grand rotunda of Ecolab’s garden and sculptural terrace into the Palace of Knossos. With walls lined in marble, deep illuminated hallways, 25-foot pillars, and over 11,000 feet of drape beautifully lending itself to the structure, the event quickly named itself one of the most beautiful gala’s in the Twin Cities among guests in attendance.
WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro made a grand return to welcome everyone, as Richard Lett, world-renowned sailor and member of the Royal Victorian Order, helped sell his private sailing excursion during the live auction. Artist Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad commented, “This is the most beautiful gala I have ever been to!”
