By Town Crier Staff Report

West Bay Opera’s annual fall gala, “A Night at the Opera,” is scheduled 5:30 p.m., Sept. 16, at the new Los Altos History Museum. This year’s theme, “Opera Under the Oaks,” reflects the garden setting. The evening will include a private museum visit, champagne cocktail hour during the silent auction, candlelight dinner al fresco, an exciting live auction and operatic entertainment by West Bay Opera stars.

A performance of the “Top Ten Opera Favorites” as selected by the gala attendees, will conclude the evening’s entertainment.

Donations by local and statewide business owners for the auction include a Persian Mashad rug, season tickets to the “Celebrity Speakers Forum,” music lessons and an onstage performance with West Bay Opera, jewelry, a crocodile pocketbook, luggage sets, autographed mementos from sports heroes, golf days at prestigious courses, hotel and cabin visits, beauty care, dinners at favorite restaurants, and gift certificates from local merchants.

Proceeds from the annual fund-raising event, priced at $125, will benefit West Bay Opera’s cultural activities in the community.

The Los Altos Town Crier will again be the exclusive media sponsor for West Bay Opera’s fall performance. Music Director Henry Mollicone and Stage Director Christopher Harlan will open the opera’s 46th season Oct. 12 with Gounod’s “Faust.”

Performances are 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m., Sundays, at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Season subscriptions are $105, available now. Individual tickets are $38 and are available beginning today. For tickets to the gala or this season’s opera performances, contact West Bay Opera at 424-9999, 1-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online at www.wbopera.org.