What do opera singers talk about? Where to eat…

What do opera singers talk about? Where to eat…

main

norman lebrecht

April 12, 2021

From a Daily Beast interview with baritone Ludovic Tézier:

The truth about opera singers is that food and drinks are pretty much the only topic we discuss. When they know you’ve been hired to sing in a new opera house, your musician friends will give you their list. Where to get the best täffelspitz with cream spinach if you’re in Vienna. The address of Pavarotti’s cook in Genova. The best wine bar in Madrid. Believe me, nobody knows food and drinks like an opera singer.

OK, let’s prove it. We’re inviting resto tips from opera singers for (a) Vienna (b) Milano (c) Berlin (d) London (e) Munich (f) Seattle.

Comments

  • JS says:

    Haha, I believe this! take a look at Anna Netrebko Instagram par example! 1/3 of photos are those of food.

  • Annnon says:

    Majority of musicians are foodies! Take any London orchestra, which probably tours up to three months in normal times, and they all have their favourite haunts – bars, restaurants, spa, bookshop, bags, whatever. Forget these guide books, ask a musician!

  • Greg Bottini says:

    You forgot (g) San Francisco.
    I own a cookbook entitled “What Aria Cooking”, issued by the SF Opera Guild Auxiliary in 1974. In it are favorite personal recipes by the likes of George London (Southern Pecan Pie), Leontyne Price (Crabmeat Imperial Casserole), Kurt Herbert Adler (Vanilleknipferl), Tito Gobbi (Pasta alla Tito Gobbi) and many, many others.
    It’s a great little cookbook; the recipes I’ve tried are delicious, and can be accompanied by a Pavarotti Cocktail (mineral water and Dry Lambrusco).
    The meal may be brought to a close with Bidu Sayao’s Mousse de Chocolat.
    There is a small section at the back of the book in which opera stars call out their favorite SF restaurants; among those mentioned are Original Joes, The House of Prime Rib, and Trader Vic’s.
    Buon appetito!

    .

  • Alexander T says:

    Yummy !!!

  • BRUCEB says:

    A google search for “Pasta Pavarotti” turns up several recipes: al tonno, carbonara, pasta subito (garlic, fresh basil & parsley, tomatoes), etc.

  • BRUCEB says:

    Good point, although they’re not as likely to pop in here to answer those questions in public. You’ll have to contact them privately.

  • MOST READ TODAY: