Opera has lost three of its senses

At the end of the 16th century (1500's) a group of men called the Florentine Camerata decided to collect all the arts together in one big proverbial pot and call it opera.  It was wonderful to engage the ears with beautiful music and the eyes with beautiful art and dance.  This opened itself to touch the several of the senses.  Later on, a rather extensive aria by a not so important character started the opera.  This aria became known as the sherbet aria.  It was well known that food and drink were important aspects of opera.  

We have covered the sense of sight through costumes, scenery, action and dance.  We have covered the sense of hearing through the music and language.  We have covered the sense of taste, touch and smell through the food and drink consumed during the opera.

Last night we brought opera to its roots at a wine tasting and five course meal at Central Market on 38th and Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas.  The Austin Lyric Opera proudly sponsors a group of opera singers for promoting the various productions called La Muse Bouche of which I am a member.  We sang opera arias, duets, trios, and quartets as well as some art song while the audience experienced different wines and gourmet food.  The crowd sang our praises afterwards but it was then that I realized that this would not have happened without the food and drink.  I am certainly not saying that inebriation helped the entertainment.  I am saying, however, that they were able to experience an external gift that tickled every sense.  Food and wine are an art and if you want to incorporate all art forms then these elements must be present.

Thanks to the Austin Lyric Opera, Central Market and to the beautiful and receptive audience that felt opera in its entirety.