Live Opera Dinner Show at Italian restaurant Acquolina at Anantara Kalutara Resort today

To enhance the romantic dining experience at the resort’s Italian restaurant Acquolina, Anantara Kalutara Resort presents the Menaka Singers’ Opera Ensemble (MSOE), the premier opera ensemble in Sri Lanka, for a one night dinner concert. 

The concert will be held on Saturday 28 April at 7 p.m., in association by British opera star Barbara Segal and will further be supported by Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu, the founder of MSOE. The event will be held in support of young and talented students and singing professionals, aspiring to become opera singers.  A five-course dinner menu has been curated and will be paired with fine wines. 

The unique feature of the ensemble’s performances is that each aria is introduced by Barbara with a short synopsis of the opera from which it is taken, and the context in which it is sung. This allows even those new to the genre to appreciate the beauty of opera, even though it is sung in Italian, English or German. 

Born in Manchester, Barbara studied with the late Dame Isobel Baillie, and then at the Teatro La Scaly, Milan, Italy with maestro Cesare Alfieri. She made her operatic debut in the role of Musetta in La Boheme at the Santa Magherita Ligure Opera Festival, and her repertoire includes roles as Queen of the Night in Die Zauberfloete, Violetta in La Traviata, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor and Marguerite in Faust. She has taken on principal roles in concerts in over 23 countries.

Meaning “mouthwatering” in Italian, Acquolina’s features classic Italian recipes crafted with passion. Antipasti selections conjure homely tastes to share. Pizzas transport diners to Rome. Signature pasta creations hail from Sicily and Tuscany. Seafood and meat dishes are laced with fine wines, Parma ham, Mediterranean herbs and lashings of mozzarella, or the freshness of ripe tomatoes, olives and lemons. 

Al fresco dining on the timber deck is blessed by an ocean breeze. The modern dining room feels naturally elegant by day and romantic at night. The upstairs dining room and wine cellar are ideal for private occasions.

Anantara Kalutara opened late in 2016 and is the brand’s second property in Sri Lanka. Located in a secluded ocean, river and lagoon setting along the southwest coast, only an hour’s drive from the capital, Anantara Kalutara is a heavenly getaway for visitors to the island and for locals alike, offering luxurious accommodation, inspirational dining and experiences, plus an impressive new conference and wedding hall.

Anantara Kalutara Resort and the MSOE are proud to present an evening of spectacular opera arias by Mozart, Strauss, Bellini, Rossini, Donizetti, Lehar to name only a few. Five course degustation menu including paired wine will be at Rs. 14,999 nett per person. Due to limited seating early booking is recommended by mail at [email protected] or call +94 34 222 0222.