This week we had to move Monday night dining to Tuesday and we had a slightly expanded guest list. Nine for dinner and interestingly divided up nicely by voice part. Our guest of honour tonight is Jared (more about why later). To fill out our numbers we had Dan, Gabrielle, Lois, Catharin, Paul and our intrepid trio. We started with some sparkling wine and brought out the appetizers. Empanadas stuffed with Ground Beef, Currants, and Olives. We accompanied this with Tiropitakia, stuffed with goat cheese. Oh and not to forget the humus made from white beans and garlic. A lovely start, on the upper deck and a big announcement involving monks in California… That’s all I can say.
For our main we moved to the big table in the backyard for Chicken Supremes stuffed with mushrooms, peppers and fresh herbs from the garden.
This was served on Lemon bean Puree, with Cute Stuff Peppers (yes, that is what we grew), grilled and stuffed with bocconcini and herbs. Also Caprese Salad with tomatoes and herbs from the garden and pesto, made from Steph’s Basil. Finally Roasted beet salad with Feta.
Oh.. I forgot the little grilled yellow tomatoes. Does that mean we served too many items? Of course not… They’re musicians!!!
On to dessert. Shawn mentioned that he had never had my profiteroles… How is that possible. Let’s make some choux pastry and hand me my piping bag. These were filled with vanilla custard and drizzled with Salted Caramel Chocolate Sauce.
Once darkness (and a few bugs) entered the yard, we moved inside, for a musical feast. Steph started us off with a selection from Parry’s Judith, wonderful music to get the juices flowing. Then Jared handed out copies of his latest, newly completed piece. It was commissioned for Pax Christi Chorale, for our fall concert, and is based on Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, “How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps.” This was thrill for me to sing a piece that has never been heard before, and with the composer singing tenor! I’m just glad Paul was there to help me some notes. If that weren’t enough, Steph had copies of her new piece “They will Pass Through the Land.” So with Steph on piano and Dan playing the organ part on the other end of the piano, we were privileged to sing another new piece.
Maybe it’s because I am newer to choral singing, but the thrill of having someone trust their talent, art and creation to you, to sing a premier (even a salon version) is a wonderful gift. To get to sing this with talented singers, composers and players, always gives me a thrill. We may have fed their bodies, but they in turn fed our spirits. I am now revitalized to get back to rehearsals and hear Jared’s piece with the whole choir. I believe we have to wait a while to hear Steph’s premiered.
There are those nights, when you just feel that you are a part of something special. Strangely enough not everyone gets to do this regularly…. Such a shame.
What an honour to witness such talent in one room!
It’s not just you Dave. It’s a thrill to hear a piece sung through the first time by real human voices! I’m grateful I have such generous friends who can be coaxed into singing just about anything with the right food and wine : ) The read-thru pointed out a few things I’m gonna change, but mine is not due to be performed until July at the Winnipeg Organ Festival. http://winnipegorganfestival.ca
Thanks again Shawn and Dave for a brilliant evening.
P.S. Sometime can you show us on the blog how you stuff a chicken breast – and what do you use for the marinade ? They were SO tender and yummy.
We have been trying to do some step by step pictures, but we get cooking and forget.
As usual, the food was terrific, and the company delightful! I echo Steph – the first time you hear your new music sung by human voices is a thrill. It’s the payoff that makes it all worth it. So, thank you!
Wow – what a sumptuous feast! I’m thrilled to be enjoying your wonderful cooking and presentation vicariously all the way from the West Coast. Chris and I feel privileged to have had a taste of the companionship and laughter which accompanies these glorious meals. As you said, it’s not really about the food – it’s about the friendships. Bon appetit from Victoria!
These evenings are the highlight of my week.