PARTY LINES : OPERA GALA'S EUROPEAN FLAIR.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

Partying with ``Countess Maritza'' was a ball.

Emmerich Kalman's operetta opened Nov. 22 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with colorful costumes, dancing Gypsies, ballet and tap dancers, and traditional Hungarian folk dancing that enriched the L.A. Opera program - and the black-tie gala that followed.

The event was held in the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where the guests - about 400 - were greeted by 13 members of the renown Budapest Gypsy Orchestra in town for their first U.S engagement. Tables were decorated with garlands festooned with ribbon streamers in Hungary's official colors of red, green and white, plus tiny Hungarian flags flying alongside Old Glory.

It was truly an international affair, with His Excellency Dr. Gyorgy Banlaki, the Hungarian ambassador to the U.S. and his wife Terez in attendance; as well as the Honorable Henry Grunwald, the former U.S. ambassador to Austria and editor of Time magazine, and his wife, Louise; and the consuls general Werner Brandstetter of Austria, Hans Alard von Rohr of Germany, Dr. Martha Fekszi of Hungary and Hans-Peter Egger of Switzerland, and their spouses, all of whom served on the dinner committee. Other special guests were Vera Kalman, wife of the operetta composer, and their daughter, Yvonne.

Ambassador Banlaki welcomed everyone and said how thrilled he was to see the Hungarian flag flying for the second time in this country and the first time in Los Angeles. Later, after he'd danced with gala chairwoman Emese Green (she was one of several women in red gowns), the charming ambassador explained to me that the gaily decorated garlands were modeled after the small garlands women wore on their head for festivals. He added that the Gypsy musicians were real Gypsies who groom their children to follow in their footsteps so that the heritage of the 100-member orchestra is preserved.

While the musicians played, we dined on authentic Hungarian food, including guylas (consomme with seminola dumplings), chicken paprika with spaetzel, and dobos torta (a cross between a Napolean and tiramisu). Dinner table talk was about ``Maritza'' of course, and opera-goers were divided. Purists like artist David Hockney (his work is in the new Getty museum) said he preferred his opera ``a little heavier,'' while L.A. Opera League board member Ellen Pollon of Studio City called it ``delightful . . . not silly . . . and very beautiful.'' Chorus master William Vendice of Los Angles agreed, and added that he was happy that the classic Viennese operetta attracted so many German and Austrian opera fans.

The gala raised $125 to benefit L.A. Opera. Sponsors were Swiss Bank Corporation and Bulthaup Kitchen Systems.

``Countess Maritza'' continues through Dec. 7.

CAPTION(S):

7 Photos

Photo: (1) L.A. Opera chorus master William Vendice chats with Ellen, left, and Elisabeth Pollon of Studio City during the ``Countess Maritza'' opening night gala at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

(2) Actors Celeste Holm and Gregory Peck were honored at the 16th annual Distinguished Artist Award by Club 100 of the Music Center. The United Airlines-sponsored event recognizes artists for their influence on the arts.

Lee Salem/Special to the Daily News

(3) Chatting at the ``Countess Maritza'' gala are Kevin Anderson (he plays Count Tassilo), left, local music supporter Ginny Mancini, Ashley Putnam (she's Countess Maritza) and event chairwoman Emese Green.

(4) Sharing a moment at the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic's wine tasting party at the Skirball Cultural Center are event co-chairman Myles Mattenson, left, and board member Myna Meshul Herscher. The Nov. 20 event raised $5,000 for abused children.

(5) ``Valley of the Dolls'' star Barbara Parkins was among the partygoers who celebrated the film's 30th anniversary Nov. 14 at the Garden of Eden in Hollywood. The Detour magazine-hosted event was a benefit for Courtney Love's Calliope Foundation for at-risk youth.

(6) U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, honoree Carmen Warschaw, gala chairman Andrew Stevens and Medallions president Warren Grundfest schmooze at the Heart of Gold Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The Medallions' gala is a fund-raiser for patient care at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

(7) Doing the party scene at St. Anne's Foundation's Casino Royale gala at the Regency Club are vice president Carole Tremblay, left, NBC Channel 4 news anchor Kent Shocknek, president and CEO Tom Owenson and gala chairwoman Ilene Miles. The elegant evening raised $100,000 for St. Anne's services for pregnant and parenting adolescents.