The War Memorial Opera House lit up for one of the Bay Area’s most elegant and beloved annual events, An Evening on the Stage, hosted by San Francisco Opera Guild on November 19, 2025. This is one of the city’s most anticipated nights because guests dine right on the stage of the historic War Memorial Opera House, the very same stage where legendary opera stars have performed since 1932.

Click above to watch event highlights, exclusive interviews, and more!

This year, the Guild honored Maria Manetti Shrem, a philanthropist who has dedicated her life to empowering the next generation of artists, musicians, and creative thinkers through her vision and support. Maria has built bridges between cultures, championed emerging talent, and inspired others to give not only generously but meaningfully.

When asked what this recognition means to her, she shared, “It touches my heart! I have always admired and been involved with San Francisco Opera and the Opera Guild. They do immense work bringing opera knowledge into schools in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. They work very hard. I feel humbled and very privileged that they are recognizing me as a benefactor. I do it with all my heart, and I admire them very, very much.”

The event concept was curated by Eva Zanetti, with event design created by Riccardo Benavides and his team. Together, they created something truly unique, a couture-inspired evening shaped around Maria’s story and the world that inspires her. “What I love about Maria is that she is so curious about life,” Eva shared. “She is always willing to learn, to be surrounded by people, and to stay engaged with so many things. Whatever I do, she is an inspiration. And her expression when she saw ‘Fontana Vecchia’ tonight was exactly what I hoped for.”

This year’s co-hosts, Maryam Muduroglu and Maria Castellucci, reflected on the inspiration behind the evening. “This entire evening is inspired by the history of Maria Manetti Shrem, who she is and who she was. So everything is Florence. All the details are centered around Firenze,” said Maryam. “It has been such an honor to be a part of this incredible night. This is honestly one of my favorite events we host each year,” added Maria Castellucci.

Her remarkable career matches Maria’s impact on the arts in fashion. Before becoming known for her philanthropic work, she helped shape how American audiences experienced Italian luxury. After beginning her career in knitwear in Italy, she moved to San Francisco in the early 1970s and quickly became a force in the fashion world. She first directed the Gucci franchise at Joseph Magnin and later co-founded Manetti Farrow Inc., which helped bring Gucci, Fendi, and Mark Cross into the American market. Her eye for quality and her devotion to Italian craftsmanship positioned her as a key figure during a pivotal era for global luxury fashion.

“Maria is an extraordinary woman,” said Stefano Galli, Dolce and Gabbana’s Alta Moda and Sales Director, who flew in from Milan for the occasion. “She was born with a sense of fashion in her DNA, so dressing her for this event was effortless. She is couture.” Her gown, created exclusively for her by Dolce and Gabbana, is the only one of its kind. It required more than 2,700 hours of craftsmanship, with artisans hand-stitching each sequin, every floral motif, and the striking sapphire peacock that flowed along the train.

Guests were treated to a three-course dinner and performances by the Opera Scouts, a vibrant group of young opera students supported by the Opera Guild’s education programs. Highlights from Mauro Aprile Zanetti’s documentary about Maria Manetti Shrem were also shared throughout the evening.

“It is the backbone, the storytelling,” Mauro Aprile Zanetti explained. “I am producing a full-length documentary to motivate youth to live life to the fullest and to inspire benefactors to give with warm hands. Tonight, Maria is on a global stage, unwinding and rewinding her story to share it with everyone and inspire others to help artists. Without art, we are nothing.”

This sentiment is so true, and we were deeply touched by her documentary and the Opera Scouts' heartfelt performance. “They are an amazing group of students,” said Caroline Altman, Director of Education at San Francisco Opera Guild. “It is really exciting, and I share that with my colleagues who also work with them. They may begin a project unsure whether they can master it, and a couple of weeks later, they have perfected an aria. Seeing that pride in them is incredible.”

After a collective toast to Maria and her impact on the arts, Opera Guild President Courtney Labe and San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock presented her with the Crescendo Award.“Selecting Maria for this award was easy,” Courtney Labe shared. “Her passions are so aligned with the Opera Guild and our focus on music education in the schools. Marai has been such an amazing philanthropist, supporter, champion of the arts and young people, and such an inspiration through all of her generosity.”

“More than ever, it is imperative that we have spaces like this beautiful theater where we connect through deep emotional truths and experience the joyous possibilities of human creativity,” said Matthew Shilvock in his remarks on stage. ”Maria, thank you for all you do to uplift great artistry and the artists who devote themselves to keeping this art form soaring in the stratosphere of life.”

Last year, this award was given to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi (view our highlights here!) for their enduring commitment to supporting the arts and music education, both in the Bay Area and across the nation. "Maria has been a friend of ours for 40 or 50 years, and we have been very close pals," said Paul. "She has been so wonderful and a very successful businesswoman with remarkable philanthropy. It's great to be with her tonight."

Additional performances were given by program curator and pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg, Grammy Award-winning singer Leah Price, and opera singer Edward Nelson, all of whom share a connection to Maria’s work and legacy.

“The theme tonight was La Dolce Vita, which means the good living, the sweet life,” Ronny Michael Greenberg shared. “We imagined Aperol spritzes, relaxed afternoons on the beach, sunshine, and all that positive, magical energy. But anything meaningful in life comes with a tender side. I wanted the music to reflect longing, nostalgia, and emotion as well as the lightness. A mix of the two created a beautiful contrast in the program. It was an amazing honor to perform tonight in celebration of Maria Manetti Shrem.”

The evening was a powerful reminder of what giving can do and how generosity can open doors, inspire young people, and strengthen the arts for today and for the future. The Opera Guild’s education programs reach thousands of students each year, made possible by supporters who believe in the power of music and storytelling.

If you feel inspired to get involved or want to learn how your support can help bring these programs to even more students, you can find more information here.