An evening of opera in Belfast

2008 is the fourth year in which Hastings Hotels are teaming up with Co-Opera Ireland to present three evenings of the finest Opera and Cuisine at the Culloden Estate & Spa, Belfast.

Following on from performances of Rigoletto and Tosca in previous years, this year Hastings Hotels have decided to show Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni’s masterpiece.

From Monday 16th June to Wednesday 18th June the Opera is being held at the Culloden Estate & Spa. Guests arrive at 7pm for a Laurent Perrier Champagne reception held on the Cumberland Terrace, where guests can enjoy beautiful views of Belfast Lough. The performance in the Stuart Suite commences at 7.45pm. Guests are seated not in rows but “cabaret style” at tables of ten, and the nature of the performance is such that director Michael Hunt ensures that Co-Opera Ireland make full use of the stage and the auditorium during the production.

After the performance guests move through to dine, and this year Culloden’s General Manager, Mr Kem Akkari is offering two dining options. Choose between taking a private dining area in one of the Highland Centre Suites, individually sized to cater for 24 to 50 people or there are tables of ten available for guests in the Cumberland Suite. In both locations there will be an alluring choice of delicious cuisine, from Chef Paul McKnight’s famous Culloden Estate Buffet and fine wines are served throughout the meal.

Prices for this event include invitations and programmes, long stem roses for the ladies, all food, champagne and wines, and of course the Opera and the Buffet Extravaganza.

The minimum booking is for a table of ten, which totals at £1,650 + VAT. Special rates of accommodation are available for Opera guests. For further enquiries visit Hastingshotels.com.