Dianne and Tad Taube Receive San Francisco Opera Guild's Highest Patron Honor,
on December 4, 2017
Tad and Dianne Taube ©Drew Altizer
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — On December 4, 2017, San Francisco Opera Guild honored opera patrons and Bay Area philanthropists Dianne and Tad Taube at the fifth annual An Evening on the Stage, a formal gala dinner set on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House. Co-chaired by Arlene Inch and Danielle Lane, the dinner was be set amidst the vibrant designs of David Hockney’s celebrated production of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. Special to the night was the presentation of the Crescendo Award for excellence to the Taubes by San Francisco Opera Guild President Jane Mudge.
Upon receiving the Opera's prestigious award, Dianne Taube spoke of the wonderful experiences she has had and dear friends she has made at the SF Opera, which she will cherish for the rest of her life. Tad Taube added that it was thanks to Dianne's longtime involvement in the SF Opera that it became an important part of their life together and their philanthropy.
The evening began at 6 p.m. with guests enjoying a convivial cocktail reception within the splendor of the ornate War Memorial Opera House foyer. At 7 p.m., gala attendees were guided onstage by way of a decorated bridge crossing over the orchestra pit to dinner tables and dance floor providing a unique view of the Opera House’s 3,148-seat interior.
Tad Taube is a prominent California business and community leader, the founder and chairman of Woodmont Companies, a real estate investment and management company; a well-regarded philanthropist; and, since 2007, the Honorary Consul General for Poland to the San Francisco Peninsula region. With the establishment of Taube Philanthropies, two separate foundations were established including the Taube Family Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture. Core programs support the Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford University, Jewish Heritage Initiative in Poland, the Contemporary Jewish Museum (in combination with the Koret Foundation) and the establishment of the Taube Family Tennis Stadium at Stanford, among many other projects.
Dianne Taube is a recognized community and board leader with past and current associations that include the San Francisco Zoological Society, San Francisco Opera and the Warrior’s Foundation, in addition to serving on various task forces focusing on Bay Area Youth including teen mental health. Dianne is a former member of the Opera’s Medallion Society Committee, a past director of the Opera Guild and chaired Opera Ball in 2000.
Dianne and Tad Taube have been San Francisco Opera subscribers since 1991. Over the ensuing years, their generosity has included key production sponsorship of four Puccini operas La Rondine, Manon Lescaut, Il Trittico (Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi) and La Fanciulla del West. Most recently their support has included such presentations as Les Troyens, Carmen, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Don Carlo, Jenůfa and Luisa Miller. Of special significance, Dianne and Tad Taube, with the Koret Foundation, led the sponsorship (along with John and Cynthia Gunn) for the establishment of the Opera’s visionary in-house Media Suite, a program that has enabled the annual live simulcast performances to Civic Center and since September 2007, to AT&T Park. Over the past 11 years, the simulcast performances have reached over 303,630 individuals and families and established San Francisco Opera as a national leader in this unique community engagement.
With the establishment of the Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera (2016) in the Veterans Building, the Taube’s provided signature support for the establishment of the intimate 299-seat Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater, the site of vocal recitals, chamber concerts and operas, orchestra rehearsals, education workshops, film screenings and more.
Tad Taube holds degrees from Stanford University and Dianne Taube holds a degree from University of Southern California. Tad Taube served as an officer in the United States Air Force and during his service was sworn in as a United States citizen. Dianne and Tad Taube have two teenage sons and reside on the Peninsula.
Reuniting with the San Francisco Opera Guild for this very special occasion were renowned event stylist and acclaimed Opera Ball designer, J. Riccardo Benavides and San Francisco’s premiere catering firm McCalls Catering & Events, who created a delicious and unparalleled dining experience. Following dinner, remarks and auction, high voltage dance music was provided by the popular band Notorious. In addition, guests were treated to a performance by critically acclaimed San Francisco Opera Center Adler Fellow soprano Toni Marie Palmertree and Adler Fellow coach/accompanist John Elam.
In previous years, San Francisco Opera Guild has honored revered community leaders and opera advocates Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, Diane B. Wilsey, Gordon Getty and Franklin (Pitch) Johnson, Jr.
An Evening on the Stage is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Neiman Marcus; Supporting Sponsor Arlene Inch; Official Airline United Airlines; Décor Sponsor J. Riccardo Benavides Event Styling; Sparkling Wine Sponsor Roederer Estate; and Invitation Sponsor Id-alist llc.
Proceeds raised from this event benefit the San Francisco Opera Guild’s signature education and community programs reaching more than 50,000 students annually throughout Northern California. For further information, visit www.sfoperaguild.com.
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