PARTY LINES : `CARMEN' GALA BRINGS ON THE REIGN OF SPAIN.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Thankfully, the L.A. Opera's production of ``Carmen'' wasn't my father's opera. Nor was the splashy opening-night gala that followed.

There was a major effort to make this year's opera season fun and frisky, and gala chairwoman Jude Green succeeded. ``We just want to let it rip. We changed the dance floor and turned it into a disco with a Studio 54 disco theme. And I think the sexy invitation with the lip print knocked everybody out. I mean, look around. There are more people here than we've ever had before - a total of 900 - and more young people. And more celebrities and more press,'' Green gushed.

Opening with Bizet's ``Carmen'' and stars Placido Domingo and Jennifer Larmore didn't hurt, either. According to diva Larmore, `` `Carmen' is appealing, especially to young people, because it's got what they like - lots of sex and violence.''

The Georgia-raised mezzo-soprano who likens Carmen to Scarlett O'Hara, said she enjoyed playing the gypsy and identified with her. ``I love her strength. Even when she is being killed by her lover, Carmen doesn't fall apart,'' she said.

Speaking of character references, Toni Luskin of Encino sat down at the dinner table and said, ``So, didn't Larmore look a lot like Monica Lewinsky?'' Several burst into laughter, and most admitted there were some shapely similarities.

Although the after-party was black tie, not many women really dressed to the nines. There were few furs, lots of black lace and plenty of red gowns, but few wowie ensembles with sequins or feathers, unless you included the trio of drag queens hired by Green to entertain guests.

As we walked the red carpet to the outdoor party on the plaza of the downtown Music Center, waiters served champagne and sangria with long-stemmed red carnations and black lace fans that came in handy on the warm evening.

The gala had a strong Spanish accent, including a menu with spinach and manchego cheese empanadas, gazpacho with avocados and shrimp, ragout of chicken with prawns and bitter chocolate picada sauce, and roasted red peppers stuffed with saffron rice.

The foodies in the crowd loved it, but it left those with shellfish allergies hungry. At least the dark chocolate flan for dessert was safe.

Among the celebs who turned out for the opera and stayed to dine and dance into the night were honorary gala chairs Olivia Newton-John and Consul General of Spain Herminio Morales. Also in the crowd were Candice Bergen; Debi Mazar, who's a new member of the ``Working'' cast; and David Schwimmer of ``Friends.'' Playboy icon Barbi Benton, Yasmine Bleeth of ``Baywatch,'' Fran Drescher of ``The Nanny'' and John (``3rd Rock'') Lithgow and his wife, Mary, were there, too.

Lithgow raved about the party, describing it as great yet intimate soiree. ``It's a good thing the opera was so good. This was the third time I've seen `Carmen,' and musically this was the best,'' he said.

Newton-John doesn't get to the opera as much as Lithgow, but she called ``Carmen'' wonderful and said her daughter, Chloe, had a good time, too.

Bergen of ``Murphy Brown'' fame was equally enthusiastic. ``The party is spectacular. Jude Green didn't leave a stone unturned. I like the Studio 54 idea, and even the impersonators work,'' she quipped. In case you were wondering, Bergen says she has no new TV show in the works.

Although it was a lively ambience, and soooo L.A., a few of us would have liked a more Latin-themed party with some hunky matadors and castanet dancers. But it is, after all, the new L.A. Opera.

For tickets to upcoming performances, call [phone].

Other fashionable parties during the week included the premiere of the All About Eve evening gown collection by Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof at Giorgio Beverly Hills, and a cocktail reception for British designer Vivienne Westwood at Cafe La Boheme in West Hollywood. Westwood, the designer known for punk panache, apparently wasn't in a party mood.

She arrived late, and, instead of doing the meet-and-greet scene, hung out on the restaurant patio with old pal Steve Jones, a former member of the Sex Pistols band.

She did stop smoking and looking bored long enough to tell me she'd spent the day at the Getty and wasn't too impressed with our city's newest treasure. ``They've ruined the paintings ... they cleaned them,'' she lamented.

Oh well.

In spite of Westwood, the party hosted by Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills was swell, and the '30s-inspired fashions were ultra artsy. Guests included Leon Hall of New York-based Fashion Association, hip new L.A. designer Eduardo Lucero, and ``StarStyle'' author Patty Fox.

CAPTION(S):

4 Photos

Photo: (1) ``Carmen'' stars Jennifer Larmore and Placido Domingo arrived arm in arm at the opening-night gala held on the Music Center plaza.

(2) Encino residents Bernard and Toni Luskin do the party scene at the L.A. Opera gala.

(3) Adding to the Club 54 nightclub ambience at the L.A. Opera gala were cross-dressers Helen Heels, left, Robert Sanford and Gwen Frances.

(4) ``3rd Rock From the Sun'' star John Lithgow and his wife, Mary, were among the celebs at the L.A. Opera season's opening-night festivities.

Lee Salem