Diners at the Reading branch of Carluccio’s enjoyed more than a night of Italian cuisine… there was opera too.
Every table at the Forbury Square venue was packed with culture lovers for the special event held on Wednesday, March 12.
On arrival, the music lovers enjoyed a glass of Prosecco and canapés.
In addition to the three-course meal, entertainment came from Opera D’Amici – which translates as Opera of Friends.
Between courses, Hannah Kirk, Dr Paddy Ashcroft, and Trevor Alexander sang a selection of popular pieces from a range of well-known shows.
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They weaved their way around the restaurant as they sang and were accompanied by pianist Peter Bailey.
Before launching into each song, they explained a little more about their context and where they fitted into the opera.
Pieces performed included Tonight from West Side Story, Almost Like Being In Love from Brigadoon, The Bold Gendarmes from Genevieve Du Brabant.
The performance ended with Cole Porter’s The Physician from Nymph Errant, and Here’s a How-De-Do from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado.
Each song received rapturous applause from an appreciative audience.
Hannah Kirk is, like her fellow performers, a professional singer. She trained in music and dance and performed across the world including in Sydney, singing solos and soaking up the applause from appreciative audiences and making friends among her fellow performers.
While touring took her to places she might never otherwise have been to, Hannah wanted to find venues closer to home for her performances. This led to the creation of Opera D’Amici.
Hannah says: “I started to realise that people wanted the best bits. I realised there was a market for putting the best bits of opera and musical theatre into a package where people could go out and enjoy themselves.
“They have a great meal, meet their friends and not be intimidated by opera.”
The idea took off, with her and her small company of friends – there are 12 in her company – performing all over.
“We do a lot of opera entertainment for private parties, charity fundraising events and we can create whatever anybody wants. We can do a whole opera evening or just musical theatre.”
And the Opera D’Amici Reading date is such a hit that they have been coming to Carluccio’s several times a year, with no signs of stopping … why would they when the venue is selling out?
“In Reading, they mainly want opera,” Hannah says. “But we throw in a few light numbers so it’s something for everyone. We always, I hope, create the picture of where the piece is from, so people know the context.
“It’s brilliant here. We love an appreciative audience, the acoustics are great, it’s a nice square, big space.”
Just how appreciative are they? Well, as Hannah explains: “People don’t talk while we’re performing, they are very respectful.
“We do like to involve them as well; there is a bit of serenading going on.”
Hannah must really love her job. After all, she is singing for her audiences’ supper.
“You don’t do anything like this unless you really love it,” she says. “Working with good friends is important – we’ve all known each other for years.”
Hannah is already planning a return for Opera D’Amici to Carluccio’s Reading branch and is firming up the date with the team.
“Keep an eye on the Opera D’Amici Facebook page,” she says.
Is there more to Carluccio’s than opera?
The Reading branch of Carluccio’s is based in The Forbury and is open from early in the morning to evening.
Doors open at 8am (9am Sundays), and their breakfast deal is a full Italian – well, it couldn’t be a full English, could it? – with a hot drink and a juice at £14.95 per person.
There are other offers available, subject to availability including 50% discounts on main courses and a Pizza and Coke for £12 per person.
The restaurant closes at 9pm Mondays to Thursdays, 10pm Fridays and Saturdays and 8pm on Sundays.
How do I find out more or book a table?
People can call Carluccio’s Reading on 0118 214 7089, or email reading@carluccios.co.uk
Its website is https://www.carluccios.com/pages/restaurants/carluccios-reading
How do I find out more about Opera D’Amici?
For more on Opera D’Amici, or to book them, log on to: operadamici.co.uk or their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/operadamici
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