Those that didn’t attend the excellent supper and opera at the Royal Northern College of Music missed a treat. Not only were we treated to delicious wine and food but we were also privileged to attend opera of a very high standard that was both entertaining and very entertaining! ... not only that, but you also missed roller-skating nuns/elves with Christmas lights in their hair (and no your author had not been overindulging in the excellent wines!).
Champagne was the perfect pick me up for those that had fought their way from work through inclement weather and difficult traffic to get to the college.
We were looked after by an enthusiastic, highly competent and cheerful staff and educated on the excellent work of the college at a national and international level.
The meal started with a tasty starter of salmon ballotine that was presented with shallots, picked cucumber and lemon.
The starter was accompanied by a new world style of bordeaux entre-deux-mers (intriguing called the “forgotten one”) with some crisp lemony flavours of its own.
The main course was a very nicely cooked fillet mignon with wild mushrooms, fondant potatoes and green beans and was served with a flavourful bordelaise sauce.
The Chateau Pontet-Cannet 2004 Pauillac was a very enjoyable accompaniment to this and set us up well for the first 2 acts of the Opera.
During the interval we had a selection of enjoyable deserts with the ever reliable and unctuous Chateau de Malle from 2010.
Suitably fortified, we then returned to our excellent seats for the final denouement, with Prince Charming and “Cinders” suitably reunited and happiness restored.
For anyone that has not had the pleasure of dining at the college or of attending the exceptionally high quality of music and song on offer - book early for next year to avoid disappointment!