We are currently preparing for our next Opera Dinner at The White Lion Inn, Bourton, Dorset. This pub is set in the wonderful surroundings of Gillingham and is very close to the impressive National Trust property Stour Head.
We are always delighted with the sell out audience, who seem to come back, time after time, and book their next Opera Dinner on the same night. We seem to be a seasonal sensation with performances booked in the Spring, two consecutive nights in the Summer, hopefully on the garden stage and the ever popular Christmas Opera Dinner.
Opera Dinners originated in Italy, of course, but during the 1990’s the idea was rekindled with a themed restaurant in Paris to “revive the fleeting moments specific to the arts of opera and gastronomy, in order to enchant both the ears and the palates of their guests.”
The popularity grew and soon other restaurants opened in other Cities, including London. With audiences ever keen to sample popular operatic classics performed by classically trained singers in an intimate atmosphere – literally singing at the table – Opera A Tavola.
Opera Sulis is very well set up to perform at these events. We have a wealth of repertoire shared between our singers, but also never shirking from learning new repertoire. On the 7th March, for example, we will be performing ensembles by Handel;
Ricordati, mio ben from his opera Flavio (Duet)
Consolami mio bene from the opera Imeneo (Trio)
Caro! Bella! Piu amabile belta – from the opera Julius Caesar (Duet)
We enjoy liaising with the ‘kitchen’ to ensure a seamless performance and find that our audiences like to listen to all kinds of music, from all genres, periods, known to them or, in some cases, not.
In 2018 we are actively increasing our Opera A Tavola programme within the South West, so watch this space to keep up with dates for the diary!
Opera Sulis 