"Star-Crossed Lovers" is the ball theme this year, to herald HOT's 2008 Season of operas by Verdi, Rossini, and Gounod: "Don Carlo," "The Barber of Seville," and "Romeo & Juliet."

HOT's silent auction highlights include: ruby and diamond earrings, a Hiroki Morinoue painting and a New Zealand travel package. There will be a grand prize drawing for a Chanel diamond ring.

Opera Ball table prices range from $3,500 to $15,000. Individual tickets are $350. Funds raised support HOT's education programs and its productions.

HOT's Winter Grand Opera Season will feature international opera artists, the full Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and HOT's chorus of up to 70 resident singers. Hawaii Opera Theatre is the only professional opera company in Hawaii, producing grand opera since 1960.