Impromptu Opera Ambassador of Russia and Mrs. Yury V. Ushakov hosted a cocktail party at the newly renovated Russian Embassy for cast members of The Washington Operaís production of ìThe Queen of Spades.î Guests enjoyed themselves in a lavish ballroom where huge bowls of red roses graced the ivory damask-draped tables and stately chandeliers sparkled above. The party honored the Russian artists from ìQueen,î and it also celebrated Lockheed Martinís role in the Bush administrationís decision to grant Russia market economy status under U.S. trade laws. Among the guests attending were Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Librarian of Congress James Billington, executives from Lockheed Martin Corp., representatives from the Russian Embassy, and cast members of ìThe Queen of Spades.î The highlight of the evening was an impromptu recital that began when Elena Obraztsova (the countess in ìThe Queen of Spadesî) decided to tickle the ivories and sing some Russian folksongs. Washington Opera Artistic Director Pl·cido Domingoóafter a bit of encouragementójoined Obraztsova at the piano, performing an electrifying rendition of ìHabaneraî from ìCarmen.î A duet followed from ìThe Merry Wi dow,î with Domingo singing in Spanish and German and Obraztsova in Russian. The evening came to a rousing finish when Natalia Ushakova and Washington Opera tenor Corey Evan Rotz led an entire assembly from ìThe Queen of Spadesî cast in the famous ìLa Traviata Brindisiî aria. The surprising ìsing-alongî proved to be quite a treat for everyone that evening. óAnna Gawel