The children and I throughly enjoyed Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” at the Metropolitan Opera House. It was a transcendent journey into a realm where music, art, and storytelling coalesce in perfect harmony. This production, under the visionary direction of Julie Taymor, celebrated its 20th anniversary, reaffirming its status as a cherished holiday tradition.

Taymor’s imaginative staging transformed the opera into a visual spectacle, with whimsical puppetry and vibrant costumes that captivated audiences of all ages. The set designs, reminiscent of an advanced intergalactic civilization, added a surreal dimension to the narrative, making the experience both enchanting and otherworldly.

The cast’s performances were nothing short of extraordinary. Soprano Kathryn Lewek, reprising her role as the Queen of the Night, delivered her arias with precision and emotional depth, solidifying her reputation as one of the finest interpreters of this role. Tenor Piotr Buszewski portrayed Tamino with earnestness and vocal clarity, capturing the prince’s noble quest with sincerity. Soprano Janai Brugger’s Pamina was both touching and resilient, her performance resonating deeply with the audience. Baritone Rolando Villazón’s Papageno added a delightful comedic touch, his timing and expressiveness bringing levity to the narrative.

Conductor Nimrod David Pfeffer led the orchestra with vigor, ensuring that Mozart’s intricate score was both lively and nuanced. The synergy between the musicians and the vocalists resulted in a cohesive and immersive experience that left the audience spellbound.

This production of “The Magic Flute” not only showcased the timeless beauty of Mozart’s composition but also highlighted the Metropolitan Opera’s commitment to making opera accessible and enchanting for all.

Synopsis: In one of the greatest operas ever written, the dashing prince Tamino is on a quest to find love and happiness. With the bird-catcher Papageno at his side and armed with a magic flute, he must battle trials, tribulations and an evil sorcerer to rescue the imprisoned Pamina.

Originally published on March 01, 2025 in Martin Cid magazine by Penelope H. Fritz

SARASOTA, FL – Socialite and Philanthropist Michelle-Marie Heinemann Celebrates Her Lifelong Passion for Opera and the Arts

Socialite, philanthropist, and classically trained pianist Michelle-Marie Heinemann continues her passionate support of opera and the arts, most recently attending a captivating performance of Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci at the Sarasota Opera House.

“As a classically trained pianist, opera represents the ultimate synthesis of music, storytelling, and emotion for me, and as a family we have always supported and thoroughly enjoyed the Opera. Tonight’s performance was a masterful convergence of artistry, where every note, phrase, and gesture coalesced into a breathtaking tapestry of sound and emotion…I always leave the Opera feeling so inspired and invigorated,” said Ms. Heinemann.

This passion for music and culture deeply influences her children, Hudson and Hyacinth, who attend the prestigious boarding school IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Hudson Heinemann, a senior and quarterback of IMG’s football team, recently signed with Villanova University, joining the elite ranks of Division 1 college football athletes.

“I grew up with an immense respect and passion for art and music as it was always in our home. I also play the piano and drums, and whether on the field or at the piano, both demand precision, expression, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence,” said Hudson.

His sister Hyacinth shares the family’s artistic legacy and is currently serving as the muse for a mini-opera Ms. Heinemann is composing.

With deep connections to society circles in Sarasota, Palm Beach, and New York City, Ms. Heinemann continues to champion the arts and philanthropy, enriching the communities she touches.

SARASOTA, FL – An Evening of Elegance: Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Janelle Miller Attend Sarasota Opera’s Exclusive Wine Dinner

Socialite and Philanthropist Michelle-Marie Heinemann of New York City and 4th generation Janelle Miller of Sarasota attended the private wine dinner hosted by the Sarasota Opera at Michael’s Wine Cellar. The evening was hosted by Hak Soo Kim, renowned for his performances at the Sarasota Opera and this season he stars in The Barber of Seville in the role of Count Almaviva. In addition he is a certified sommelier and was the head sommelier at James Beard Award winner Thomas Keller’s restaurant Per Se. The extraordinary wine dinner featured wines selected wines Mr. Kim paired with a sumptuous 4-course dinner prepared by Michael’s on East under the direction of Executive Chef Jamil Pineda.

Ms. Heinemann is both a donor and classically trained pianist. “Supporting the community through art and music is a great passion of mine.” said Ms. Heinemann who has recently moved to the area in support of her two children that attend the prestigious IMG Academy.

A Jewish banker and philanthropist to Jewish causes has become Brazil’s richest person with $25.2 billion.

Joseph Safra, who is considered the richest banker in the world by Forbes magazine, has taken over the number one richest position in Brazil from entrepreneur Jorge Paulo Lemann, becoming the richest person in Latin America’s largest nation. The bank that bears his name announced in early February a net profit of near $2 billion in 2018, helping to increase his fortune.

Safra, 81, is a leading philanthropist in Brazil’s 120,000-strong Jewish community.  Born in Lebanon, he runs a Brazilian banking and investment empire. His Lebanese/Syrian family’s banking connections date back to Ottoman times. The Safras moved to Brazil in 1952.

Lemann, one of the partners in the 3G fund with a current fortune estimated at $23 billion, had been Brazil’s richest person for six years in a row, reported the G1 news website. He lost $ 4.4 billion between March 2018 and March 2019, moving down from from 20th to 37th place on the worldwide list. His fund 3G is behind companies such as Inbev, Burger King and Kraft Heinz.

During the same period, Safra’s banks’ worth increased by $1.6 billion, rising from 36th to 31st. The billionaires remain the only Brazilians in the top 100 of the world’s richest. Next on the list are Marcel Herrmann Telles (141st), also a partner in 3G, and Eduardo Saverin (153rd), co-founder of Facebook.

Source: JTA

Celebrity-charity strategic alliances benefit both parties in multiple ways. Very importantly, they provide established as well as fast-tracking entertainers and athletes meaningful opportunities to leverage their current and growing stature to drive support to philanthropic causes they feel deeply about. For non-profits, the benefits of aligning with celebrities can be tremendous. Aside from having the services of people who care about their causes, the charities get spokespeople who can champion their positions and are regularly instrumental in helping to fundraise.

In a study of 165 talent agents and managers, more than four out of five of them have addressed the matter of charitable giving and personal involvement with their more successful entertainment clients. Many times the agents and managers are involved with helping them identify and work with charities that are synergistic.

According to Rick Flynn, Co-CEO and founding partner of LVW/Flynn and author of The High-Functioning Single-Family Office, “There are basically three levels of strategic alliances between celebrities and charities. The first level is where the celebrities commit some time and money. They will donate to the cause in various ways and attend some events. Their involvement acts as a magnet for other volunteers and contributors. The next level is where something of a joint venture takes place. This is for celebrities who focus on a particular cause and concentrate most of their philanthropic activities around that cause. The third level is where celebrities form their own charities of private foundations.”

According to John Bowen, founder of BSW Inner Circle, “For successful celebrities who are looking to become closely connected with a particular cause or to create their own charities or establish a private foundation, many personal factors habitually that goes into the decision. At the same time, aside from their agents and managers, a growing cohort of specialists can work with them to help them sort through their options and make decisions aligned with their philanthropic agendas and careers.

“When celebrities get seriously involved in philanthropic causes, many tax strategies can enable them to make their monies do more — usually, a lot more.” explains Frank Seneco, President of Seneco & Associates, an advanced planning specialist working with entertainers and athletes. “However, in our experience, most importantly, what is driving the trend of more and stronger celebrity-charity strategic alliances is the power and the fame that all kinds of celebrities have, which can be leveraged to benefit causes they care intensely about.”

Written By: Russ Alan Prince

According to a recent report on publicly announced giving compiled by The Chronicle of Philanthropy – an organization that publishes news and resources on philanthropy – there were twelve donations given by wealthy donors that surpassed $100 million, plus another six that totaled $100 million exactly.

The two largest donations – for $500 million each – came from Nike cofounder Phil Knight and his wife Penny, and investor-philanthropist Nicolas Beggruen.

Phil Knight~

Knight, a billionaire whose net worth Forbes estimates at $24.9 billion (making him the 18th wealthiest person in the United States), made his high-value gift to the University of Oregon – his alma mater – to establish there a new center for scientific research. Berggruen, with an estimate worth of $1.73 billion, donated to his own public policy think-tank, the Berggruen Institute.

Nicolas Berggruen~

The second most valuable donation, a $400 million pledge, was also made by Mr. and Mrs. Knight. This trove of charity went to Stanford University to establish the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, which provides education to 100 graduate high achieving students every year.

Also providing a $400 million gift to a good cause was physician Howard Marcus and wife Lottie, an investor, who directed their money in the form of a bequest to American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for endowment and water research. The donation was the largest ever to an Israeli university.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a large charitable impact, The billionaire’s philanthropic organization gave $360 million to handful of organizations and an additional $300 million donation to The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, to establish the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

Steven Cohen and wife Alexandra pledged $275 million last year to start the Cohen Veterans Network to provide mental-health services to former service members and their families. Cohen, whose net worth FORBES estimates at $13 billion, built his wealth in hedge funds.

Facebook founding president, Sean Parker, makes an appearance on the list of top donors of 2016, with a $250 million gift to establish the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Oracle founder, Larry Ellison, made the list as well, pledging $200 million to the University of Southern California, to establish the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine.

Legendary investor and Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman Charlie Munger pledged $200 million to the University of California at Santa Barbara, for new student housing.

Sanford Weill, chairman emeritus of Citigroup, and his wife, Joan, donated $185 million to the University of California at San Francisco, to start the Weill Institute for Neurosciences.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg donated $107.2 million to the Fidelity Charitable, for the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Fund.

Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen pledged $100 million to establish the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.

Billionaire Phillip Frost, a physician and pharmaceutical company executive, and his wife, Patricia, pledged $100 million to the University of Miami, to support applied sciences and engineering.

David Geffen, a cofounder of DreamWorks Studios SKG and founder of Geffen Records, pledged $100 million to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, to renovate and expand the museum.

Netflix founder, Reed Hastings, gave $100 million to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, to establish the Hastings Fund.

Robert King, founder of Peninsula Capital, and his wife, Dorothy, pledged $100 million to Stanford University, for scholarships for students from underdeveloped countries.

Mortimer Zuckerman, a cofounder of Boston Properties, a real-estate investment trust, donated $100 million to create the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Scholars Program in STEM Leadership to bolster collaboration between top U.S. and Israeli researchers.

By Karsten Strauss

CEO, Michelle-Marie Heinemann of Old Fashioned Mom Magazine and HSH Prince Charles-Henri Lobkowicz, who is the Brand Ambassador for the exclusive line of Dewitt Watches, welcomed guests at Plaza Athenee to chat about the magnificent watch collection. 

The Lobkowicz Family dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest Bohemian Noble Families. Prince Charles Father was Prince Edouard de Lobkowicz and his Mother the Princess Francoise of Bourbon-Parma. 

Guests included: Anne Van Ness, Sharon Bush, Isaac Lazerson, Marie-Claire Gladstone, Ann Baker, Tanja Dreiding Wallace, Dr. Tamas Lorinczy, and Annamaria Bogyay.

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Marie-Claire Gladstone and Ann Van Ness attend a Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz, Dr. Tamas Lorinczy, New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Ambassador Katalin Annamaria Bogyay attend New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) and Sharon Bush attend a Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) and Marie-Claire Gladstone attend a Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Dr. Tamas Lorinczy (L) and Ambassador Katalin Annamaria Bogyay attend New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz and Tanja Dreiding Wallace attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz, New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon for Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (R) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (L) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann (L) Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz (R) At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: General view of atmopshere at New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz and Anne Baker attend a Luncheon At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 08: New York Socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann Hosts Luncheon For Prince Charles Henri Lobkowicz At Plaza Athenee on January 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Old Fashioned Mom Magazine)

The late philanthropist and musician William H. Scheide has donated thousands of rare manuscripts and documents to Princeton University, the Ivy League academic institution announced Monday.

Scheide, who passed away at 100 in November, made the largest gift in Princeton’s history when the 1936 grad left the school his library of 2,500 historic books, papers and records carrying an appraised value of $300 million, Princeton officials said.

Scheide had displayed the collection, which includes documents like the 1455 Gutenberg Bible, the original printing of the Declaration of Independence and an autographed 1856 Abraham Lincoln speech about slavery, at the university’s Firestone Library since 1959.

But the donation will allow university officials to continue digitizing the documents for public inspection in its online library and preparing for a new display room for them at the renovated library, they said.

COURTESY OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Scheide shows students the collection’s copy of Darwin’s The Origin of Species in March 2000.

“Through Bill Scheide’s generosity, one of the greatest collections of rare books and manuscripts in the world today will have a permanent home here,” said Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber.

Scheide’s collection, which his oil executive grandfather began amassing in 1865, also contains three other 15th century Bibles in the only complete set of all four of the first editions outside of Europe, a signed Beethoven sketchbook, a Magna Carta dating to the 1300s and the poet Emily Dickinson’s chocolate pudding recipe, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Scheide grew up in Titusville, Pa, where his father, a fellow Princeton man, built the first formal display of the historical rarities, but he later relocated them to the university following the death of his mother and reviewed Princeton officials’ plan for the new space that will house them, Princeton officials said.

“This collection is the fulfillment of the dreams of three generations of Scheide book men,” said Sheide’s wife, Judy McCartin Scheide. “Having it reside permanently at Princeton is a testament to the joy Bill took in sharing the books, papers, manuscripts, letters, music and posters with others — those were some of his happiest times.”

Scheide, who recalled being fascinated by his father’s documents as a child at the house in Titusville, founded the renowned Bach Aria Group in 1946 and helped provide the ensemble with material by culling through the full 47 volumes of the master composer’s work, the New York Times reported in his obituary last year.

The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, where Scheide provided future Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall with financial backing to help pursue the landmark Brown v. Topeka Board of Education case, also recognizes Scheide as its largest individual donor, according to the organization.

Alumni Couple makes $20 million gift to establish the Notre Dame Institute for global investing.

James Parsons and Dr. Carrie Quinn of New York City have made a $20 million gift to the University of Notre Dame to endow a new Institute for Global Investing in their alma mater’s Mendoza College of Business.

“This magnanimous gift will allow a cadre of superb finance faculty members at Notre Dame to advance their teaching and research to new levels,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., the University’s president. “Jim and Carrie are distinguished graduates of the University, and we are most grateful for their wonderful generosity.”

The Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing is poised to advance investment-management research and educational outreach on a worldwide scale, according to Roger D. Huang, Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business.

“The Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing provides that vital nexus for research, the classroom, our alumni and other partners so that we can leverage all of it for a greater impact than the sum of its parts,” he said. “I’m confident that the institute will enable us to expand opportunities for our stakeholders — especially for our students — and become a significant thought leader in the global investment community.”

Scott Malpass, vice president, chief investment officer and a professor in Notre Dame’s Applied Investment Management (AIM) course, added: “I have known Jim since he was a junior at Notre Dame and have watched him become one of the finest money managers in the nation today. Jim and Carrie’s tremendous generosity will allow us to train the next generation of top-tier money managers imbued with the strong business ethics and principle-centered leadership that come from a Notre Dame education.”

The institute will leverage three key strengths of Notre Dame — top-rated finance faculty, an innovative finance curriculum and extensive strategic partnerships — to form a platform for both learning and influencing the way investment managers the world over think about global finance.

The institute’s goals include expanding internship and career placement opportunities; leveraging key partnerships among the college, the Notre Dame Investment Office and the University’s extensive alumni network; furthering faculty research and thought leadership; attracting prospective finance faculty; and adding depth and breadth to Mendoza’s already strong finance curriculum.

Shane Corwin, associate professor of finance, has been named as the inaugural director of the institute. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 2000, he teaches and researches in the areas of security market design and investment banking. He has published articles in numerous finance journals, most recently studying the role of limited attention in securities trading, the measurement of transaction costs and conflicts of interest related to maker-taker fees on U.S. stock exchanges.

Corwin has served as a member of the Nasdaq Economic Advisory Board and has been awarded research grants from the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, Morgan Stanley and the Q-Group. He earned a doctorate in finance from Ohio State University and bachelor’s and master of business administration (MBA) degrees from Mankato State University.

Parsons earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Notre Dame and an MBA from Harvard University. He is founder and portfolio manager for Junto Capital Management in New York City and previously served as a portfolio manager for Viking Global Investors in New York.

Quinn is a graduate of both Notre Dame and Tufts University Medical School. She completed her pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. After working in private practice in Queens, New York, for six years, she is now an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to seeing patients and teaching medical students, she is the executive director of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, a not-for-profit entity created to support and educate parents in evidence-based parenting practices designed to help improve the health, resilience and well-being of children and families. The couple has three children.

“There has never been a greater need for outstanding leadership in the investment management industry,” Parsons said. “It has been a privilege to work together with the Mendoza College of Business, Scott Malpass, the Investment Office and other University leaders to form an institute that should enable the University to adequately address the need to educate the investment management leaders of tomorrow. The University is uniquely positioned to assist in the formation of leaders around the globe, and Carrie and I are delighted that our gift will help address this critical need.”

Quinn and Parsons made a $5 million gift in 2010 to endow the directorship of Notre Dame’s Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases. They also have made gifts to their alma mater for a Donor Advised Fund, scholarship, the Applied Investment Management Alumni Endowment Fund and the President’s Circle.

Philanthropy Story ~ By Dennis Brown

Philanthropist and Tycoon Leonard A. Lauder recently made international headlines when he  announced his enormous pledge of $1.1 billion dollars of Cubist Art to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Lauder donated 78 works by great artists such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Juan Gris and Fernand Leger to one of New York’s most famous museums.  Moreover, he pledged to continue donating additional acquisitions of Cubist Art.  His objective was to fill the gap in the Museum’s own collection. Lauder wanted his gift to be “transformative ” and  was quoted as saying “it will catapult them into the 21st century.” He recognized the need to share his works of art with the rest of the world.  This billion dollar pledge of  art  had followed earlier gifts for the endowment to the Museum for the creation of a research center for modern art.  Cubism: The Leonard A. Lauder Collection went on exhibit at the Met Museum on October 20, 2014 and will remain on view until February 16, 2015.  Represented at the Met are 34 works by Picasso, 17 by Braque and 15 each for Leger and Braque.

Lauder, a long time patron of the arts, has never been a  stranger to the world of charitable giving, especially when it comes to art institutions. The Whitney Museum of Art has  been the recipient of both his  art and resources.  In 2008,  Leonard donated over $100 million to the Whitney to assure it’s long term sustainability. To date, this is the single largest gift ever received by the museum.

Leonard has also pledged his beloved collection of 120,000 postcards to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. A longtime collector of postcards, his passion for them had caused his late wife, Evelyn, to refer to the collection as his “mistress”.

Lauder  has  shown his philanthropic nature in other areas besides art.  He is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and a member of the President’s Council of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. Lauder and his late wife, Evelyn, were actively involved in the creation of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Evelyn Lauder is the founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Leonard Lauder, New Yorker extraordinaire, was born in 1933.  He serves as chairman emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies. Throughout his life he has also been involved in the world of  politics and education.  Lauder is often seen around New York at various charity galas including those for NY City Ballet and Metropolitan Opera.