Petite Auberge: Opera with French Cuisine

"The Barber of Seville," Dinner and a Diva

By Doc Lawrence

ATLANTA- You have to go to Chef Duke LoCicero's Café Giovanni in New Orleans' French Quarter for a counterpart. Dinner and a Diva, a collaborative between the acclaimed Capitol City Opera Company and the bedrock French restaurant Petite Auberge is a fixture in the culinary/musical heritage of Atlanta.

The latest production features highlights from Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Just after hors d'oeuvres and drinks, mezzo Reverie Berger, Krby Eicholtz, tenor; Wade Thomas, baritone; and Ivan Segovia, bass baritone, accompanied by pianist Grant Jones, present an evening of unforgettable music during a multi-course gourmet dinner with wine.

Nestled for over 40 years in Toco Hills around the corner from Emory University, Petite Auberge holds the distinction of being a genuine heritage restaurant. These are few and far between in the entire region. With this being the year that Georgia celebrates our unique music, “Dinner and a Diva” merits recognition.

When 'Barber' was first performed in1816 Rome, it would have been difficult to predict that this operatic comedy would become one of the most beloved of all time. Music from this masterpiece has even been featured in numerous popular-culture settings. Remeber Robin Williams singing the famous "Largo al factotum" at the beginning of Ms. Doubtfire? One episode of Seinfeld featured selections from the overture.

Dinner and a Diva is a wonderful program for both seasoned opera fans as well as those who enjoy French inspired cuisine and good wine with brilliantly presented live music.

Petite Auberge, 2935 North Druid Hills Road, Atlanta 30329.

(404) 634.6268; http://petiteauberge.com