The Olga Forrai Foundation Annual Dinner “Award for Artistic Excellence”
Honoring internationally acclaimed conductor
Maestro Eve Queler
Ticket sales end on Monday, September 28,
About the Honoree
Maestro Eve Queler
Internationally acclaimed conductor Eve Queler, is recognized as a pioneer in the world of opera. As founder and music director of The Opera Orchestra of New York (OONY), she conducted over 100 operas in concert at Carnegie Hall. Renowned for researching and unearthing seldom-heard masterpieces, featuring legendary opera stars including Montserrat Caballe, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Marcello Giordani, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Aprile Millo, Renata Scotto and Dolora Zajick, Maestro Queler and her Opera Orchestra amassed a dedicated following, selling out houses for 50 years.
Ms. Queler has guest conducted on podiums worldwide including engagements with the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the Hamburg, Bonn and Frankfurt Operas in Germany, the Australian Opera in Sydney, the Liceu in Barcelona, Spain, Opera de Nice, the Rome Opera, Las Palmas Opera, Kirov Opera in St. Petersburg, the Smetana Divadlo in Prague and National Theater Brno (Czech Republic), the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Salle Pleyel in Paris, the Pretoria Arts Center (South Africa) and more. Equally at home with symphonic repertoire, she conducted numerous symphony orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, Hong Kong Symphony and Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana in Palermo, Sicily.
Ms. Queler is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2010 National Endowment for the Arts Lifetime Achievement award and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of the highest awards presented by the French government, for her commitment to French operas. She has also received the Sanford Medal, Yale University's highest musical honor and the Touchstone Award from Women in Music in recognition of her visionary spirit.
Artistic Excellence in Action
The Olga Forrai Foundation created the “Artistic Excellence Award” to recognize and honor artists who exemplify the qualities we look for in singers and conductors, and have attained the highest levels of international recognition for their achievements. We believe these singers and conductors represent the gold standard for those who perform in the dramatic and verismo repertoire.
Learn more and see prior recipient here.
A Celebration of Excellence
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Keens Steakhouse (Lambs Room), 72 West 36 Street, New York, NY 10018
Dress: Business Attire
6–7 PM: Cocktail Hour (Open Bar) – Meet Maestro Eve Queler, the Board of Directors, and guests.
7 PM: Dinner begins – Three-course menu with wine; guests will choose from a selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts.
Musical Interlude
Featuring Olga Forrai Grantee Artists.
Reserve Your Seat
A limited number of tickets are available for this exclusive event.
Ticket Options for Wednesday, September 30th.
Individual Ticket — $500
Includes one seat, during the meet and greet cocktail hour access to the open bar, a three-course dinner with wine, musical performance, and the opportunity to meet Maestro Eve Queler, the Board of Directors and Foundation guests.Note: If you’re purchasing multiple single tickets, on the form you’ll be able to provide your guest(s) name.
Payment option: If you would prefer to pay by check, need additional help or information with ticket purchases, please call the Olga Forrai Foundation Inc. at: 646-785-2695.
Can’t attend? You can still support by making a tax-deductible donation to help advance the careers of emerging dramatic voices in opera.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Ticket sales end on Monday, September 28.
No physical tickets will be issued. Your email receipt is your ticket. Your name(s) will be on the list at the event.
If you purchased a table or multiple tickets and did not provide names, 2-3 weeks prior to the event you’ll be contacted for the information.
Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring Maestro Eve Queler with the 2026 Award for Artistic Excellence.
Tickets include cocktail hour, full dinner with wine, musical performance, and the opportunity to celebrate with the artist and Foundation guests.
Date: Monday, Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Keens Steakhouse (Lambs Room), 72 West 36 Street, New York, NY 10018
Dress: Business Attire
6–7 PM: Cocktail Hour (Open Bar) – Meet Ryan Speedo Green, the Board of Directors, and guests.
7 PM: Dinner begins – Three-course menu with wine; guests will choose from a selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts.
Musical Interlude: “Voices of the Future” - Featuring Olga Forrai Grantee Artists.
If you’re purchasing sponsorship tickets, you’ll have the opportunity to provide guest names at checkout.
IMPORTANT NOTE
No physical tickets will be issued. Your email receipt is your ticket. Your name(s) will be on the list at the event.
If you purchased a table or multiple tickets and did not provide names, 2-3 weeks prior to the event you’ll be contacted for the information.
Payment option: If you would prefer to pay by check, need additional help or information with ticket purchases, please call the Olga Forrai Foundation Inc. at: 646-785-2695.
About the Foundation
Supporting Emerging Dramatic Voices & Classical Conductors
Established in 1981, The Olga Forrai Foundation has provided support for the career development of exceptionally large, dramatic voices and classical music conductors for 40 years. The Olga Forrai Foundation grant recipients have performed on the great operatic stages and concert halls around the world. To date, The Olga Forrai Foundation has awarded over 275 grants totaling more than $1,000,000.
Learn more here.