With Autumn fast approaching, we are beginning the season with a return visit to the popular Three Gables Restaurant in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, on Thursday 25th of September. This cosy Italian restaurant has become a regular venue for the duo Susan Coates and Nick Goodall, with many customers returning time and time again.
Susan and Nick are no strangers to performing to diners, having held a two year residency at The Pump Rooms in Bath, during their summer seasons in July and August in the past.
We first met the owner of The Three Gables, Vito Scaduto, at his former restaurant ‘Red or White’, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, some four years ago. After an initial Opera Dinner with performers Soprano, Susan Coates, Tenor, Richard Lloyd-Owen and pianist Nick Goodall, we began a series of similar events at the restaurant with some tailored to opera lovers, whilst other evenings reflected our love of songs from the shows and jazz standards. The performances were timed to be delivered between servings. When Vito moved his business to the delightful town of Bradford on Avon, we were invited back to continue our performances combining fine wine, food and song.
We have increasingly found that the combination of a good three course meal, interspersed with selections of music has been a popular occasion for many of those who would not normally be able to access operatic or live music performances. We are able to take a very portable ensemble of musicians, including a digital grand piano, into smaller and less accessible venues, allowing the audience of diners a close up ‘taste’ of the music. Some of our venues have been quite unusual, including the secluded and reputedly haunted ‘Woodchester Mansion’ near Stroud, Gloucestershire. Here, we were able to entertain a large group during a three course picnic event. For this occasion we brought a full ensemble of six singers, with a wonderful, vaulted ceiling drawing room in which to perform.
Similarly, our recent Opera Dinner at Cardiff Masonic Hall, (Susan, Richard and Nick were joined by Bass-Baritone Gavin Davies here) was equally well received and introduced many of the audience to music they would not normally listen to. We also find them to be increasingly popular with charitable organisations, performing for several Rotary Clubs functions, including those in Ilminster, Somerset and Burnham Beeches, near Slough. 
‘Singing for your supper’ really has become a fashionable and popular occasion, with many fundraising opportunities for a variety of organisations.
We are looking forward to returning once again to The Three Gables, a gem of an Italian Restaurant, and especially enjoy our own dinner, provided by the chef, after the performance of course!
If you would like to ‘savour’ our next performance on Thursday 25th of September, please book via the restaurant here;
We would also be delighted to hear from anyone who is thinking of hosting an Opera Dinner.
Opera Sulis 