Tastes and Sounds of Italy
A delicious menu of Mediterranean cuisine, courtesy of the Cotto Restaurant, and a ballet, vocal and instrumental performance at St Paul's Within the Walls Church make up the package deal Tastes and Sounds of Italy in the heart of Rome. After the sumptuous meal, three tenors perform well-known arias and Neapolitan songs with the accompaniment of a mandolin ensemble and a piano player. For many of the musical numbers, talented ballet dancers present intricate choreographies that enhance the performance even further. Tastes and Sounds of Italy, located in the centre of Rome, makes good on its promise.
The dinner at the Cotto Restaurant begins at 6:30 pm and features a four-course menu of Italian classics. Traditional appetisers, pasta, a main course with a vegetarian, pescetarian or meat option, and a delectable dessert make up your culinary journey. The menu includes water, and you are welcome to purchase any other beverages extra. This is the perfect way to start your journey into the Tastes and Sounds of Italy. For the second part, St Paul’s Within the Walls Church awaits you just a few minutes away on foot. The former place of worship’s impressive architecture and excellent acoustics make it a favourite venue for intimate performances with a special touch. This evening will be no exception.
In the programme, opera classics sit pretty next to beloved Neapolitan songs. Giuseppe Verdi with ‘La donna è mobile’ from Rigoletto and Giacomo Puccini with ‘Nessun dorma’ from Turandot feel right at home interspersed with ‘O sole mio’ by Eduardo Di Capua and ‘Funiculì funiculà’ by Luigi Denza, to name a few examples. The programme is at least in part a nod to the original Three Tenors concert series, which celebrated the musical harmony and friendship of Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. The exciting vocal melodies are accompanied by the unique Neapolitan mandolin orchestra and a piano, and the ballet dancers pepper their sensual and evocative choreographies throughout the night. Tastes and Sounds of Italy targets all your senses for a truly magical experience in the centre of Rome.