A NIGHT at the opera is not normally what you’d expect when dining in Chester city centre, but one restaurant’s special themed evening offers something new.
Carluccio’s in Bridge Street recently entertained dozens of diners through its Opera a Tavola evening, where after each course (canapé appetisers and an introductory glass of Prosecco, starters, mains and desserts) three talented singers making up ‘Impromptu Opera’ performed a medley of opera songs.
The trio consisted of tenor Alex Grainger, mezzo soprano Imogen Garner and soprano Hrafnhildur Björnsdóttir, ably assisted by pianist Martyn Parkes.
Pieces performed during the event included Habanera from Carmen by Bizet, The flower duet from Lakmé by Delibes and Mon Coeur s’ouvre a ta voix from Samson et Dalila by Saint-Saëns.
Also on the bill was a new piece entitled The Usherettes Blues by Jeremy Nicholas, a light-hearted song about an usherette lamenting never being able to see a film at the cinema from start to finish.
Closing the four-hour event was the classic Nessun Dorma from Turandot by Puccini, a piece made memorable by the late, great Luciano Pavarotti.
With a feast of musical interludes, it could be easy to overlook the dishes themselves, but guests were kept indulged by an antipasti platter board, lasagne or pork belly for a main course and meringue for dessert.
The next opera evening event at Carluccio’s in Chester is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 27.
- For more information, visit the restaurant on Bridge Street, call 01244 401938 or visit www.carluccios.com.
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