“Opera Decanted” – Pleasure, Imagination, and Feasting the Senses
Opera and Wine – what more could I ask for in life? “Opera Decanted” at Caffe Dolce was an evening of wine, cuisine and live opera music pairings from around the world – and a fundraiser for Montana Lyric Opera (MLO). This evening was all about pleasure, imagination, and feasting the senses. I sort of imagine that if I make it to heaven, that every evening would be like this one. My favorite wines of the evening were the Dr. Hermann “Dr. H” German Riesling and the Le Ragnaie Rosso di Montalcino.
The Dr. Hermann Dr. H Riesling is light yellow-green in color with a beautiful nose of apricots, green apples, citrus, herbal and mineral notes. This medium-bodied wine delivers sweet fruit with a dry finish, beautifully balanced with some lively acidity. It offers rich flavors of apricots, peaches, green apples, citrus and spice. This wine is elegant and complex, with a bright, flavorful finish.
The Le Ragnaie Rosso di Montalcino is a gorgeous ruby red color. This baby Brunello made of Sangiovese grapes is a harmonious wine presenting red plum and layers of lush black cherry fruit. On the palate this full-bodied wine is balanced and fresh with rounded rounded tannins and a long finish.
Below was the menu and pictures from the event. Bravo to MLO for a superb evening and I will be looking forward to your summer production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
Act 1 Italy
Antipasti of Robiola Due Latti with Fresh Pears, Aged Balsamic Vinegar & Toasted Pistachios
Nino Franco “Rustico” Prosecco
“Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from La Traviata (Verdi): Jeff Kitto & Gina Lapka
“Quando m’en vo” from La Bohème (Puccini): Heather Barnes
Act 2 Germany
Roasted Golden Beets with Chives, Cucumber & Warm Mustard Vinaigrette
German Riesling, Dr. Hermann “Dr. H” 2007
“Glück, das mir verblieb” from Die tote Stadt (Korngold): Gina Lapka
“Dies Bildnis” from Die Zauberflöte (Mozart): Jeff Kitto
“Zueignung” by Strauss: Heather Barnes
Act 3 Spain
Grilled Shrimp on a Sugarcane Skewer with Serrano Ham
Braised Lentils & Sweet Pepper Relish
Valpiculata Toro, Puertas Novas 2005
“La Maja Dolorosa I” by Enrique Granados: Kimberly James
“La fleur que tu m’avais jetee” from Carmen (Bizet): Jeff Kitto
Act 4 Italy
Tournedos of Beef Fillet with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms & Truffle Butter
Tuscan Rosso di Montalcino, Le Ragnaie 2007
“Un bel dì vedremo” from Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Heather Barnes
“Mira, O Norma” from Norma (Bellini): Kimberly James & Gina Lapka
“Nessun Dorma” from Turandot (Puccini): Jeff Kitto
Finale France
Paris-Brest, Chocolate Mousse filled Pate a Choux Ring with Berries
Banyuls Rimage, Chateau de Jau 2007
“Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse” from Samson et Delila (Saint-Saëns):
Kimberly James
“Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour” from Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach):
Kimberly James & Gina Lapka
Hey Kate, thanks for the fine review of the event. I felt like it went great both as an organizer and as a diner/listerer/tippler. The Dr. H Riesling was definitely the favorite of both me and my wife; I also loved the Valpiculata Toro. I hope more of these can come together this year!