Vice President Joe Biden and Italian ambassador Claudio Bisogniero onstage at the Opera Ball on Saturday night. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Kennedy Center board chair David Rubenstein with Connie Milstein, chair of the Opera Ball. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Laura Bisogniero, wife of the Italian ambassador, with Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Vice President Joe Biden speaking at Villa Firenze, home of the Italian ambassador and site of the annual Opera Ball. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The front entrance of Villa Firenze, with a red carpet, bathed in light, and the spotlight on a Ferrari and a Maserati. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Guests were ferried by golf cart from their cars to the residence’s front entrance. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The back terrace of the Villa Firenze was covered with a massive marquee and decorated to replicate an Italian village square. The ceiling was hung with dozens of lemons entwined with votive candles. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Michael Kaiser, president of the Kennedy Center. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Chief of protocol Capricia Marshall with Italian ambassador Claudio Bisogniero. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
One of the dessert tables prepared by caterer Susan Gage. In the background is the dance floor, with faux Italian tiles, and the stage. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The Opera Ball, as it started around 9:30 PM. The dancing went on until past midnight. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Scrumptious chocolate Easter eggs—completely edible, and with special fillings. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Limoncello on tap. The evening’s cocktail was a concoction of limoncello and Champagne. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Shamim Jawad and Bridgette Moussa-Adamo. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Author and former CIA operative Meg Thompson. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Rachel Pearson and Bruce Bradley in conversation at dinner at the Gabonese ambassador’s residence before the Opera Ball. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
