Opera East Texas' annual fund-raising gala is Saturday at Pinecrest Club

Opera East Texas has adopted an Italian theme for Kaleidoscope Gala 2006.

The Gala, set for Saturday, May 20, at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview, under the direction of Suzanne Cook, is the major fund-raiser for the opera season.

Activities and auction begin at 6:30 with dinner and musical review at 7 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Pat Florence or Karen Lee, reservations co-chairs, at (903) 758-5698.

Individual tickets are $100 and sponsor tables are also available. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, May 17.

This year the stars include Kerri Marcinko of New York City Opera; Lawrence Harris, also of New York City and a former NFLlineman with the Houston Oilers; James Cornelison, back by popular demand from his starring role as Lt. Pinkerton in Opera Longview's Madame Butterfly; and longtime favorite Horace English of Shreveport, who has starred in every opera of the company.

Cast members will be introduced and will be featured in a musical presentation after dinner.

"Each year the theme of the party changes in kaleidoscopic form to suit the ever-changing

Season of Opera and compliment the year's opera," said Cook.

This year "Tosca" is set for June 8 and 10 and features the life of a famous opera singer Floria Tosca and her love of Mario Cavaradossi, an Italian artist.

"We want to showcase our professional opera talent that we bring to Longview, but also give everyone a wonderful meal and social atmosphere," Cook said.

A silent auction has been added to this year's event.

For more information go to the opera's website, www.operaet. com