Diana Salesky enjoying the auction item she came up with.
Diana Salesky, the wife of the executive director and conductor of the Knoxville Opera Company, had a good idea for an auction item to be offered at the annual Opera Ball. She contacted the group of friends who regularly host a progressive dinner in downtown Knoxville and asked if they’d agree to add two extra seats at the dinner that she could use as an auction item.
Then she herself bought those seats.
And that is how we came to have an opera-themed progressive dinner last month.
(We actually added four seats when longtime Opera board member Mark Hill asked if he could match Diana’s donation and bring his wife Cathy along on her birthday.)
Each of the three stops had an opera theme, which turned out to be quite fun for us opera novices.
Props for the table during our Tosca-themed appetizer stop. Part of the opera is set in a Catholic church, so we hauled out our Christmas angel to lend a “church-y” feel.
First stop was at our condo located in Cherokee Lofts at the corner of Church Avenue and Market Street. We selected the opera Tosca by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and served Italian appetizers.
But the best part was coming up with a signature cocktail. In the opera, set in Rome, opera diva Floria Tosca is pursued by a corrupt police chief. When he presses her with unwelcome advances in an apartment kitchen and forces her to kiss him, she fatally stabs him in the back with a knife from the table and asserts as he dies, “That is Tosca’s kiss!”
The drink? “Tosca’s Kiss,” of course. It was delicious and, amazingly, somewhat healthy, as alcoholic beverages go. It is made using a new product called VLiNG, a proprietary beverage carried by Kroger. VLiNG comes in four flavors, and our drink made use of the cranberry pomegranate version. The beverage contains electrolytes, which fight dehydration and, importantly, hangovers. It’s lightly carbonated, low carb and contains only 35 calories per 12-ounce can. Our drink was made by combining three parts VLiNG with one part vodka and a splash of cranberry juice. We served them in martini glasses rimmed with red sugar and garnished with mint. They were a hit.
“Tosca’s Kiss.”
My hubs, Alan Carmichael, serves Michael Foltz a Tosca’s Kiss. (Fortunately, not the kind that Tosca herself served!)
Gay Lyons, left, and Cathy Hill, the birthday girl.
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus was one of our Italian appetizers.
The other was Italian stuffed mushrooms, which contained both Benton’s bacon and ham.
Diana Salesky and Mark Hill.
Judith Foltz enjoying Tosca’s Kiss.
Hahaha. I couldn’t resist these cocktail napkins.
Before we knew it, it was time to move on to the home of Tim Young and Jeff Cupp on Gay Street above Mast General Store. The condos are called Gallery Lofts. The opera theme there was Otello by Giuseppe Verdi.
Isn’t it a beautiful setting? I love the chandelier.
Another table.
At this stop, the meal was prepared by Gay Lyons, while Tim and Jeff provided the beverages. The opera, Otello, is about jealousy. The signature drink here was called a “Green-Eyed Monster,” although it actually was purple. Ha. Gay named the main course (which, in reality, is her famous Shrimp Diablo) “Pescare Desdemona” after the female star of the opera.
Tim opened some wine. (Glad I had those electrolytes at the last stop!)
Jeff took us on a tour of the condo. He is an antique dealer and collector, and the exquisite decor demonstrates that.
He bought this painting at the recent auction of the late U.S. Sen. Howard Baker Jr.’s belongings.
Here’s the awesome balcony view.
From there, you can see the progress on the new Marble Alley apartments.
Meanwhile, Gay started serving the green salad or, as she put it, “insalata verdi.”
And here’s that “Pescare Desdemona.”
Maestro Brian Salesky of the Knoxville Opera, left, and Alan as they finished dinner.
Judith, left, with Mark and Diana.
Jeff Cupp.
Michael and Cathy.
Hey, what’s that in the corner?
Why, it’s an instrument on which to play Happy Birthday to Cathy! (And a few other things.)
Everyone joined in.
Time to move on to the dessert course at Michael and Judith’s condo on Wall Street, across the street from TVA.
In we go. You’ve probably seen this place. It’s right around the corner from the old Orange Leaf yogurt place on Market Square.
Judith was popping champagne when we arrived.
And Michael made himself useful.
The Foltzes chose the French opera Carmen by Georges Bizet as their theme. (It just gave us an excuse to have French desserts!)
Ahhh. Here’s what we came for! Traditional and chocolate dipped Madeleine, chocolate petit fours and raspberry filled cookies. Bon appetit!
I always love the beautiful flowers at Judith and Michael’s.
It’s very French to have a cheese course at the end of a meal.
The living room is soothing and conducive to unwinding at the end of an evening.
And then, in honor of Cathy’s birthday, Judith brought out the piece de resistance: a lemon raspberry cake with buttercream frosting made by Magpies.
Cathy liked it.
And so did the rest of us, once she got it cut.
Maestro Salesky never misses a selling opportunity. Here he shares a brochure about the Knoxville Opera’s upcoming season with Tim and Jeff.
And a word about that season. As usual, there are three operas. This year they are Mefistofele in October, Hansel and Gretel in February and Tosca in April.
But, get this: Tosca is going to be a “progressive” opera. Progressive as in like a progressive dinner. The performers and audience will move to a different place for each act. Isn’t that a creative idea?
The first act, which is set in a church, will be at Church Street United Methodist Church; the second will be at the Knoxville Convention and Exposition Center at World’s Fair Park. And the third will be at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater. There will be a break for dinner between the first and second acts. I just love it!
Alan and I already have ordered our season tickets. You should order yours and join us!
What a great evening. It was fun to surprise our guests with our opera themes. And Brian’s piano performance was simply delightful. This was definitely our most musical progressive. This year’s opera line-up sounds fabulous–especially the progressive “Tosca.”
Love the names of the food and drinks. Alan must have been in dessert bliss.
Gay: Get opera tickets! We’ll have fun — especially at Tosca.
Maria: You know Alan too well! He was a happy man.
This progressive dinner and guests were so much fun (they are all fun) and had an interesting musical twist with all the great performances from piano and vocals–all of which were worthy of a sold out audience. We were entertained every bit as much or more than those being the entertainers. Great time!
Tim: You are absolutely right. I could have stayed and listened to Brian and the singers at your house all night long. But Alan, of course, couldn’t wait for dessert!
Didn’t you guys miss Bruce and me? I guess not. We sure were enjoying the Mediterranean. It looks like you had alot of fun. I’m going to be on the opera board this year. Let’s plan another progressive soon!
Monique: We absolutely did miss you and Bruce! But we know you weren’t missing us! Ha! It is time to start planning our next downtown progressive. I will be in touch. Congrats on the opera board!
Now I do miss this.
We miss you, Mickey! Hate losing you to the ‘burbs.
Cynthia, In the seven years I’ve lived in Knoxville, this evening ranks as one of the most incredible I have experienced! The generosity and imagination of you, Alan, Gay, Tim, Jeff, Judith, and Michael was beyond my wildest expectations. And being able to share the evening with Cathy and Mark was incredible as well. Every time we walked into one of the amazing homes, Brian would say, “I can’t believe we’re in Knoxville.” And that’s coming from the original New Yorker!! Your support of Knoxville Opera is so greatly appreciated. And thank you for dubbing the upcoming “Tosca” production as the “progressive opera!” Brilliant!!
Aww, Diana, what a sweet comment. We all loved the evening ourselves. We learned a lot about opera and we are so excited about the awesome plans for Tosca. Loved getting to know you and Brian better.
Glad to know about the “progressive” opera. Thanks for sharing info.
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