Not for a Song Lyric Opera's Wine Auction 2000 honors women -- three outstanding winemakers -- and offers rare and collectible wines -- but not for a song. By Nancy Ross Ryan If Falstaff, the anti-hero of Verdi's last opera (by that name), had been on the stage at the Ardis Krainik Theater at Lyric Opera on February 25, he would have considered himself in paradise, wine-lover that he was. The backdrop was the famous "Herne's Oak" tree, silhouetted against a night sky spiked with stars, and in the third and final act of the opera Falstaff was promised an assignation here with a lovely lady, provided he appear in disguise. He does so but only gets a brief promised moment, which soon turns to terror as the townsfolk, themselves disguised as fairies, ghosts and devils, taunt him with all his misdeeds. (He's been a very naughty boy.) Now just imagine Falstaff arriving at the oak tree to find that Lyric's main stage has been set with elegantly appointed tables -- a feast for 500 guests -- and that instead of the company of one lovely lady, his night was graced by three, all of them famous winemakers, whose wines accompanied the three-course dinner: Long Vineyards Chardonnay 1997 complemented Lobster Napoleon; Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1988 was the perfect partner for Tenderloin of Beef with Morel Sauce, and Lungarotti Rubesco Riserva Monticchio 1990 was a match made in heaven for the cheese course. Paradise indeed. The ladies in question were Mme. May-Eliane de Lencquessing of Chateau Pinchon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from Pauillac, France, who not only traveled but circumnavigated the Lyric with a broken foot. Signora Teresa Severini Lungarotti of Cantine Lungarotti, Umbria, Italy, said liltingly, "We celebrate wine, women and song, so of course I had to come." Ms. Zelma Long of Long Vineyards, Healdsburg, California, when asked how long it took her to decide considering the hundreds of requests for appearances she gets yearly, said, "Oh, about two seconds." The occasion, of course, was Vivace! the Lyric Opera's sixth wine auction, originated, planned and orchestrated by the Women's Board of the Lyric. Since its inception in 1988 -- when Mrs. Patrick G. (Shirley) Ryan launched the idea -- the auctions, held every two and three years, have generated more than $1.7 million. Before the live auction, and during the silent auction and champagne reception in the Grand Rice Foyer Mrs. James (Ellen) O'Connor, wine auction chairman, was candid about the hopes of the Women's Board, "We really have our hopes set on raising $500,000," she said. Wine Auction 2000 raised in excess of that goal. Arriving early -- and leaving late -- were the zealous members of the women's board and the wine auction committee including Mrs. Theodore D. (Charlotte) Tieken, Jr., President of the Women's Board; Mrs. Lester (Renee) Crown, Wine Auction "On The Eve" Chairman; Mrs. John M. (Priscilla) Richman, Wine Auction Vice Chairman, and Mrs. Patrick G. Ryan, Wine Auction Honorary Chairman. Because the raison d'etre for the event was to benefit the Lyric, the amazing wines, luxe vacations and evenings of elegant dining did not go for a song. Among items and their winning bids: Chateau Lafite 1982, 1985, 1986, 1990, 12 bottles, three of each vintage, $5,500. A three-day trip for two to Buenos Aires went for $13,000. And the winning bid for dinner and wine for eight in the home of Chef Charlie Trotter went for $22,000. For this year's auction, Presenting Sponsor was Kraft Foods, an operating company of Philip Morris Companies, Inc.; Sponsor was Northern Trust Bank, and Leadership Wine Donor was Sara Lee Corporation.

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