Opera gala patrons go mod for new British general director

SF Opera's Nod to Mod Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. SF Opera's Nod to Mod Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Opera gala patrons go mod for new British general director 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

If you were wondering where all the go-go boots in the Bay Area were on Wednesday night, San Francisco City Hall had the run on them at the San Francisco Opera’s A Nod to Mod Ball. The ball, hosted by the San Francisco Opera Guild, was a celebration of the Opera’s next general director, Matthew Shilvock, who assumes leadership of the 93 year-old company on Aug. 1 from outgoing General Director David Gockley. Shilvock, 38, is British-born, so the evening’s mod theme was planned as a nod to both his heritage and youth.

“When you think of the mod era the first thing you think of is the British invasion,” ball Co-Chair CJ Van Pelt (with Maryam Muduroglu) said of how the guild arrived at the motif. “It changed the face of music and brought it to a whole new generation. We thought that it was the perfect match. Matthew is young and vibrant, and we think he’s going to do the same thing for the San Francisco Opera.”

From the unflappable Beefeater guards who stood at attention at City Hall’s entrance to the modular projections by McCalls (the event’s caterer and designer) to the Union Jack furniture and swinging ’60s fashions, it was indeed a very “gab up” (well-dressed in mod speak) affair.

“I’ve never been surrounded by so much Britishness in my life,” Shilvock joked. “After 10 years at the San Francisco Opera working with David, this is such an exciting way to start the next chapter.” Among the things he’s looking forward to in his first season as general director is the premiere of a new production of Verdi’s “Aida” designed by Los Angeles street artist Retna and starring San Francisco Opera favorite Leah Crocetto.

The guests took to the evening’s mod dress code with enthusiasm. Philanthropist Denise Littlefield Sobel said she was channeling ’60s supermodel Twiggy with her silver boots and pop print dress. Her look included the Vogue-ready false eyelashes, not just on her upper lids but on her lower as well, just like her favorite youth-quaker cover girl.

“Matthew sat at my table at the Opera Ball, and he was very understated, but excited,” said Littlefield Sobel, whose family foundation is funding the world premiere of “Dream of the Red Chamber” in the next season. “He brings a great energy to the projects happening this fall.”

“It’s just an exciting time for the company,” former guild President Karen Kubin offered, mentioning the new pop-up Opera Lab as one project bringing the company new fans.

After guests sat down to a meal of British ham and cheddar herb stuffing and trifle verrine for dessert, the Beefeater guards took to the stage for a musical tribute to Shilvock to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General.”

“He is the very model of a new director general,” they sang, to Shilvock’s surprise. “He understands the music that’s both modern and traditional.”

Shilvock then thanked the attendees, starting with his wife, Kate, whom he met while she was working in the development office at the Opera.

“My British accent didn’t hurt,” he joked about how he initially caught her eye, or in this case, ear.

Following an auction led by KCBS “Foodie Chap” and host of “Eye on the Bay” Liam Mayclem, the mini-skirted birds and Chelsea-booted lads took to the dance floor to twist and shout to the tunes of San Francisco band Notorious.

Guild member Linle Froeb shared memories of growing up backstage at the Seattle Opera, where her father, Speight Jenkins, was general director for 31 years.

“Now Matthew and Kate’s son and daughter will have that special experience,” Froeb said. “But it’s important that all children get exposed to the opera, which is why we do events like this.” Funds raised from the ball support the guild’s education programs, which it says reaches more than 50,000 children in Northern California.

As the night wound down, guests began to leave the dance floor, some to attend a benefactor event upstairs, others to call it an evening. But if Shilvock has anything to say about it, the spirit of mod will continue to linger during his tenure.

“Mod celebrates the cutting edge, like the San Francisco Opera,” he said. “It’s always put together, always changing directions and expectations.” Which is what he intends to do as its new general director.

As the mods would have said, what a “flash kick” of an evening.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TonyBravoSF