Where Music Meets Cuisine: Cinghiale Debuts Opera Salon Series
A historical tradition of enjoying music sees revival at Cinghiale, debuting Sept. 14th.
What is an “opera salon?” Salotto musicale, as it was called in 19th-century Italy, brought musicians into the homes of the affluent, where performances of beloved operas delighted guests and supported the artists who brought them to life. Unlike the grandeur of the opera house, these gatherings offered a close, personal connection between performer and audience.
Cinghiale recaptures the intimacy and elegance of this historical tradition 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 collaboration in German Lieder and Bel Canto Opera, as well as for her repertoire in various ensembles and solo performances. Her highlights include Nick Hersh’s arrangement of Hansel and Gretel in Peabody’s Outreach Opera with Annapolis Opera, and an international role debut as La Contessa di Almaviva with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar’s Le Nozze di Figaro.
In addition to performing, Shelby is a full-time piano technician and an advocate for music pedagogy. She holds a Master’s 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 an emerging vocalist known for his rich tone and dynamic stage presence. He has performed in a range of roles, including Elder Hayes in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah at the Harrower Summer Opera program and Dr. Penrose in the original Off-Broadway production WESLEY at The New York Theater Center, where he made his professional musical theater debut. Currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the Peabody Conservatory, Christopher is dedicated to a future in opera while sharing his artistry with the Baltimore community. At Peabody, he also served as Vice President of the Black Student Union, advocating for young African American artists and fostering camaraderie within the conservatory.
Dina Kasman, Piano
Dina Kasman is a pianist from Birmingham, Alabama, who made her orchestral solo debut at the age of thirteen. Since then, she has performed with ensembles including the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony of Ukraine, earning recognition for her passionate artistry and community engagement. Dina is a prizewinner in numerous competitions, among them the Alabama Symphony Concerto Competition, the Southern Adventist University Concerto Competition, the LaGrange Symphony Concerto Competition, the Florida Young Artists International Piano Competition, and both the Alabama and Southern Division MTNA competitions. Now based in Baltimore, she is pursuing her doctorate at the Peabody Institute, where she also serves as a graduate assistant, in addition to teaching on 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.