Thursday, May 22, 2008

Favorite Dinner Music #1- Romance in Venice

One of my favorite things to do is serve a meal to my family or friends with the most appropriate music for accompaniment. Although this can illicit a playful eye-roll by my husband when he enters the kitchen, I know it is appreciated and really can add to the dining experience. There's a French cafe not too far from here, and the food is not the greatest, but we go anyway because the music makes us feel like we're on vacation. Anyway, tonight I'm serving a simple Spinach Lasagne, garlic bread, and wine (grape juice for the kiddos) and I'll be playing my favorite Italian instrumental cd - Romance in Venice. I'm not Italian and have never been to Italy but I sure do love this collections of songs. On Amazon. com, the cd is described: Imagine you are gliding through the moonlight canals of Venice as your gondolier serenades you with an Italian romantic classic such as "Santa Lucia" or "O Sole Mio". That's where this instrumental collection of favorite Italian love songs will take you through strings of the mandolin, chords of the accordion, and sweeping notes of the violin. Romance yourself around the world with this elegant Italian musical tapestry. And so I'm off to Italy tonight, that is until the meal is over and I'm scrubbing the lasagne pan!

4 comments:

Susan Moorhead said...

I love themes! And setting the mood. Bravo!

Nan said...

Surprise, surprise, I do this, too, Alison, but most often when people are here for supper. Sadly, most never notice. Like those poor bands playing away in bars to people not paying attention. :<) Well, I notice, and it makes me happy so that's good enough. My music doesn't match the meal in terms of nationality; more just a mood for me. I have a few French cds with that wonderful accordian music, and a lot of jazz I play. I'm waiting for someone to say, 'what is that music playing?' :<)

alison said...

I'd love to know the names of the French cds you mentioned! And do you have a favorite jazz cd for playing during dinner? My favorite is Nocturne by Charlie Haden.

alison said...

Hi Susan,

Setting the mood makes all the difference, doesn't it? Here's to the power of music and lighting!