Recession hit opera buffs are abandoning their boxes at Covent Garden in London’s West End and heading to the Square Mile to feast on Mozart, Puccini and Verdi - accompanied by different arrangements of Medaillions, Confit and Chantilly.
Bel Canto restaurant is proving to be the perfect antidote to the £600 seats at the Royal Opera House. For £55 a head diners can enjoy some of the best arias, duets and choruses in town.
The restaurant – which serves French cuisine - attracts young opera stars from around the globe hungry to make their singing debut in the Capital.
Already famous in Paris, Bel Canto ‘opera dinners’ has now found a stage in London and a growing reputation as the place to hear the best opera up close and personal.
Located near the world famous Guildhall School of Music and Drama Bel Canto offers music students the chance to gain precious live performance experience as well as earn a crust.
Every performer has to be invited to audition by the owner Jean Paul Maurel and his and artistic director wife Antonina.
At regular intervals during the evening up to four of the performers will burst into song, moving between tables while belting out popular arias from Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and many more.
“The effect on our customers is a joy to see. Even those who are experiencing opera for the first time are visibly moved by the evening,” says Maurel.
“It’s not just a business for us, but a passion. Many people have an image of opera as being elitist and expensive. Well here we are proud to offer affordable fine dining combined with performances which are unique.”
Christina Petrou is a Guildhall music graduate, making ends meet teaching singing by day and performing opera by night while she acts as a waitress at Bel Canto’s.
“Bel Canto offers me the chance of live performance - which is invaluable in my line of work. It’s very intimate, and very exciting,” says Petrou.
“This is the best bit, we really feel like we connect with the audience, and when it’s a full night, everyone has a really good time.”
Bel Canto can be found at:
Mark Lane off Fenchurch Street London, EC3R 7AA
Website: http://www.lebelcanto.com
Telephone Number: 0207 444 0004
