Opera Party at Bonnie McElveen-Hunter's Home

McElveen-Hunter hosts what was to have been a post-concert reception for Susan Graham at her home on Saturday, February 4, 2012. The mezzo-soprano became ill at the last minute and was unable to perform, but, ever the optimistic hostess, McElveen-Hunter w

Eric Motley, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, and MapHook president and CEO Dr. Paul Carter. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Guests brave a damp, chilly rain to make it to Bonnie McElveen-Hunter’s Georgetown home. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Washington Performing Arts Society Board member Grace Hobelman; Susan Graham’s scheduled accompanist, Malcolm Martineau; and WPAS communications director Samantha Pollack. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Chris Carlson and Mary Mochary. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Victoria Keich, Richard Beckler, and Chris Carlson. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Anna Weatherley and Teresa Carlson. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Wendy Marquez and MVM Inc. president and CEO Dario O. Marquez Jr. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

William Haseltine and Maria Eugenia Maury look over one of the many art books at McElveen-Hunter’s home. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Mary Mochary, with Robert and Jamie Craft. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Holly and Ted Rollins, Natalie Wexler, and Jim Feldman. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Draped in the brightest of boas, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter tells guests, “On O Street, the show always goes on!” Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Mezzo-soprano Samantha McElhaney’s rendition of “Summertime” engages—and warms—guests from the first note. Photograph by Jeff Martin

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Booked to perform on very short notice, Samantha McElhaney receives a “thank you” bouquet from WPAS president Neale Perl. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Mezzo-soprano Samantha McElhaney, who performed in the Washington Opera’s “Porgy and Bess,” with WPAS President Neale Perl. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

Wendy Marquez, MVM President and CEO Dario Marquez Jr.,Washington Performing Arts Society board member Grace Hobelman, and WPAS board chair Reginald Van Lee. Photograph by James R. Brantley

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

The new Finnish ambassador, Ritva Koukku-Ronde. Hostess McElveen-Hunter was the US ambassador to Finland from 2001 to 2003. Photograph by James R. Brantley