A Celebration of Italian Culture in Song and Flavour
On Sunday 1st June, La Locanda once again opened its doors to an extraordinary experience of Italian passion, artistry and hospitality with our second annual Opera Day – Una Domenica all’Opera- honouring the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic.
A full house of just 35 guests joined us for a truly immersive celebration of Italian culture, where gastronomy and classical music came together in perfect harmony. The atmosphere was warm, intimate and distinctly Italian as Agrichef Maurizio Bocchi curated a six-course menu inspired by the favourite dishes of some of Italy’s most revered composers, each paired with carefully selected Italian wines.
A Feast for the Senses
The journey began with a relaxed aperitivo, featuring a glass of Prosecco DOC and a selection of artisan bites: Prosciutto di Parma mousse, Parmigiano Reggiano grissini, erbazzone reggiano, crostini with friggione bolognese, and delicate potato and truffle bon bons. This was perfectly complemented by the stirring duet ‘Brindisi’ from Verdi’s La Traviata, and Verdi’s own arrangement of the Italian national anthem, Inno di Mameli , performed live among the guests.
The Music of the Kitchen, the Flavours of the Opera
From that moment on, the afternoon unfolded as a symphony of food and music. Each dish presented by Maurizio told a story, not just of ingredients, but of composers, memories and traditions.
- Minestra: Cappelletti in brodo di cappone, hand-crafted and rich with Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, paired with the elegance of a Sangiovese from Maremma.
- Primi Piatti: Maccheroni al ferretto con N’Duja e ricotta – bold, comforting and beautifully paired with a glass of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
- Secondi Piatti: Cacciucco alla Livornese, a traditional seafood stew from the Tuscan coast, full of depth and paired with a mineral-rich Vermentino.
Each course was interwoven with spellbinding performances by tenor Seán Ruane and soprano Kate Daggett, whose voices soared through the restaurant with beloved arias from Puccini, Mozart, Cilèa and more. From ‘Voi che sapete’ to ‘Non piangere Liu’, each note added a layer of emotion to the dishes, a true reflection of how music and food together can touch the soul.
Sweet Endings and Grand Finales
For dessert, guests enjoyed a classic Pastiera Napoletana, a soft and fragrant tart made with wheat, ricotta and orange blossom, matched with a glass of Recioto della Valpolicella – smooth, sweet and complex.
The evening closed with a powerful gran finale: ‘Pie Jesu’, ‘O Sole Mio’, ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’, ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘O Soave Fanciulla’. The applause filled the room not just for the music, but for the shared experience of joy, culture and connection.
A Celebration to Remember
Una Domenica all’Opera was more than a meal and a performance, it was a celebration of what it means to be Italian. To cook with passion, to sing with heart, and to gather together in an atmosphere of true ospitalità.
We thank Seán Ruane and Kate Daggett for their extraordinary talent, and to our guests, grazie di cuore, for joining us in this unique journey. We hope you’ll return next year as we continue to honour the spirit of Italy with flavour, tradition and song.
