The Asheville Lyric Opera will team up with local restaurants to present an evening of food, wine and music. The “Taste of Opera” will take place on Saturday, June 5, and is part of the ALO’s continuing effort to provide patrons with a totally unique experience, as well as present the richness of the Asheville cultural community. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Pack Place, and then moves on to the Diana Wortham Theatre.
For the price of a ticket ($40-$50, dependent upon concert seating), guests will be entitled to indulge in a complete dinner sampling before being treated to a concert of operatic works performed by ALO’s singers. Opera General Director, David Craig Starkey says, “We want to expose our opera audience to all of these great dining experiences while introducing the restaurant owners to our wonderful patrons.”
“Restaurant dining and Opera truly go hand in hand,” he continues. “Both share the goal of enhancing the quality of life for individuals and entire communities.”
A major feature of the event will be the announcement of Asheville Lyric Opera’s upcoming fall and spring seasons, spotlighting many of the regional opera stars of the ALO, which will also be performing at the Taste of Opera. “Our audience loves the operatic talent of the area and surrounding regions,” says ALO Company Manager, Kristen Yarborough. “This event showcases them and allows audience members to hear operatic works they have never heard before on the DWT stage in previous ALO seasons.”
Dwight Butner, owner of Vincenzo’s Ristorante on Market Street, and vice-president of the ALO Board of Directors, helped to develop the dining and wine concept. Another contributor, Michel Baudouin, chef/owner of Bouchon and president of AIR has been “an important voice on the Asheville restaurant scene and a key addition to the Taste of Opera group,” according to Starkey,
Executive Chef Peter Pollay of Posana Café says, “My wife and I were honored to be invited to participate in this event. We can’t wait to share our exciting ideas with the Asheville community.” Altogether, around ten restaurants will contribute some of the best of their cuisine at this event.
Participating restaurants include: The Red Stag Grill of the Grand Bohemian Hotel, Chef Mo’s, The Jackson Underground Café, Pack’s Tavern, Phi bar and Bistro, Bouchon, Posana Café, Curras Nuevo, Filo Pastries and the Lexington Avenue Brewery (LAB). Additionally, French Broad Brewing will provide a seasonal summer brew. A variety of fine wines will also be available to all who attend the event.
The event will take place on June 5, starting at 6 p.m., with a concert at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased by calling Asheville Lyric Opera box office at 257-4530.
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