Where Music Meets Cuisine: Cinghiale Debuts Opera Salon Series
the Salon, Reimagined at Cinghiale
What is a “salon?” In 19th-century culture, these were gatherings in the settings of private homes, where artists, writers, and composers shared their work and connected with patrons. Cinghiale revives the intimacy and elegance of these events with its monthly Opera Salon Series, blending world-class opera performances with fine Italian dining for an unforgettable evening.
A True Celebration of Music and Dining in Baltimore
From September to January, on the second Sunday of each month, Cinghiale will transform its Galleria into a welcoming space for celebrated talent and patrons alike. Each evening will offer an immersive musical program performed by opera singers, complemented by a four-course dinner thoughtfully prepared by Baltimore’s premier Italian cooking.
Join us for our first opera salon on Sunday, September 14, beginning at 5:30 PM. The evening’s theme, "Summer Sunsets," will pair the artistry of Shelby Tipling, Dina Kasman, and Christopher Kirby-Saunders with a culinary menu inspired by the ending of summer.
Meet This Season’s Artists
Shelby R. Tipling, Soprano
Shelby R. Tipling is a Philadelphia-based vocalist known for her work in German Lieder and Bel Canto opera, as well as for her versatile contributions to both ensemble and solo performance. She has appeared with Annapolis Opera, Peabody’s Outreach Opera, and various Philadelphia-area groups, and made her international role debut as La Contessa di Almaviva with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar. In addition to performing, Shelby is a full-time piano technician and an advocate for music pedagogy. She holds a Master’s degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the Peabody Institute, and undergraduate degrees in Vocal Performance and German Studies from the University of Iowa.
Christopher Kirby-Saunders, Tenor
Christopher Kirby-Saunders is a young tenor known for his rich voice and charismatic stage presence. He appeared in the 2025 Off-Broadway production of Wesley at the New York Theater Center, where he made his professional musical theater debut, as well as in numerous art song performances, including the Liederkreis, Op. 39 cycle at Emanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD. He aspires to become a professional opera singer while advocating for other young African American artists, serving as Vice President of the Peabody Black Student Government. He is currently completing his undergraduate degree in Voice Performance at the Peabody Institute of Music.
Dina Kasman, Piano
Twenty-five-year-old pianist Dina Kasman is gaining national recognition as a passionate performer, educator, and arts advocate. Season highlights include solo appearances with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and in Miami, FL, as the first prize winner of the Florida Young Artists International Piano Competition. She will also return to the Utah State University Summer Piano Festival and the Vivace International Music Festival, serving in both teaching/performing and artistic operations roles. Dina is currently based in Baltimore, where she is a doctoral student and graduate assistant at the Peabody Institute, as well as a member of the piano faculty at the Gilman School.
Full Event Details
Join us for the enchanting debut of our Opera Salon on Sunday, September 14th — an exclusive evening where the passion of opera meets the elegance of Italian fine dining. The experience begins at 5:30 PM with a sparkling welcome reception, followed by a beautifully curated four-course dinner, seamlessly interwoven with world-class performances in the intimate ambiance of the Galleria.