It's another night at the opera and the Veuve Cliquot, the yellow-label champagne developed in France by the widow Cliquot, is flowing. But tonight it's a bit special because it's the Irish premiere of the Russian classic, Boris Godunov.
Margaret McDonnell, a renowned fund-raiser for Opera Ireland, is here in a Jean Muir creation. Back in the early days, she says "we did everything to raise money. We had all kinds of dinner parties." She's always had a love of opera: "I was born like a nightingale," she explains.
Her friends Carmel MacHale, Donnie Potter and Betty Searson, already know about her donkey, Blossom. "I have a beautiful cart for him." The conversation continues.
In another corner of the room at the Merrion Hotel, opera singer and teacher Veronica Dunne says that she still misses the excitement of performing live. "I miss it an awful lot," she says wistfully. "I'd love to be on the stage tonight." She recalls the time in 1952 when she sang in 10 operas in 10 nights.
Carmel Naughton, chairwoman of the National Gallery, is "with three ladies tonight" - Pat Carney, Helen Foley and Joan Martin. There are only a few more minutes before the curtain goes up. It's a quick trip up to the Gaiety to hear Gidon Saks in the title role. The furs are collected, the last of the champagne is downed and it's on with the show.