Hosted by the Apsinalls in their private Brigadoon gallery, Vissi d’Arte is a premier fundraising event that celebrates art, love and life.
Guests will enjoy a sumptuous five-course lunch, in which art, food and, of course, opera will be interwoven to create a truly unique dining experience.
All proceeds raised will go towards suicide-prevention charity Lifeline and West Australian Opera’s education and outreach initiatives.
Prominent Perth butcher and Lifeline WA Ambassador, Vince Garreffa, is thrilled to be back on board to help organise the event.
Larger-than-life to say the least, Garreffa is famous across Perth for his hilarious anecdotes, philanthropic spirit and popular butcher shop, Mondo di Carne.
He has even been given the regal title of the “Prince of Flesh”, in Perth.
Born in 1951, in the southern Italian region of Calabria, Garreffa migrated to Western Australia as a five-year-old boy and his family settled in Northbridge in the early 1950s.
He and his wife Anne opened Mondo di Carne’s doors in 1979 and have contributed to the community not only through their business, but also by supporting many local charities over the years.
Across two decades, the couple has raised almost $2 million for Lifeline WA.
“Lifeline WA is a charity that is obviously very close to my heart, so I’m thrilled to once again collaborate with West Australian Opera on this innovative and unique fundraising event,” Garreffa says.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success and we are looking forward to making this year’s even better. Vissi d’Arte is a celebration of food, culture, life, love and art.”
This year’s Vissi d’Arte line-up will include performances by some of Australia’s finest opera singers, including Aria-nominated soprano Sara Macliver and baritone Sam Roberts-Smith, who was most recently seen in West Australian Opera’s sold out production of Carmen.
Both singers will be joined by acclaimed West Australian pianist, Tommaso Pollio.
With Garreffa helping orchestrate the event, one thing’s for sure: it’ll be a night full of fun and laughter... and all in the name of a good cause.
Tickets are still available. Booking options include a single ticket for $1000, a table of 10 for $10,000 or the exclusive Gold Table option for $15,000. Contact cbishop@waopera.asn.au for booking enquiries.
