Let’s Sing and Eat! An Evening with Silvia Colloca

Posted on 6 March, 2025

The National Museum of Australia invites you to experience an adventure into the heart of southern Italian culture, led by one of Australia’s most captivating Italian-born talents, Silvia Colloca.

There’s something magical about Italian hospitality – the way a meal becomes a celebration, how music fills the spaces between conversations, and how time seems to slow down just enough to savour each moment. And this March, the National Museum of Australia is bringing that magic to Canberra with an exclusive evening that promises to be spectacular.

Cantiamo e Mangiamo: Italian Feast with Silvia Colloca will be an immersive journey into the heart of southern Italian culture, led by one of Australia’s most captivating Italian-born talents. Silvia Colloca, whose extensive repertoire ranges from opera stages to cookbook pages, will transform the Museum’s Gandel Atrium into a slice of Italy for one extraordinary evening.

The night begins as all proper Italian gatherings should – with aperitivo. As guests sip on bespoke cocktails, Silvia’s operatic prowess will take centre stage, her soaring vocals accompanied by the ethereal sounds of harpist Georgia Lowe. It’s a reminder that before she became a celebrated chef and author, Silvia was enchanting audiences with her voice.

But the true heart of the evening lies in the feast itself. Working with award-winning Broadbean Catering and Events, Silvia has crafted a menu that reads like a love letter to southern Italian cuisine. From yellowfin tuna tonnato to Ligurian lamb shanks with potatoes and olives, each course promises to transport diners to a sun-drenched Mediterranean table. The culinary journey is thoughtfully paired with Italian varietal wines from local vintners Collector Wines, proving that the terroir of our region can produce drops worthy of any Italian table.

Between courses, HerCanberra’s own Emma Macdonald will lead what promises to be a fascinating conversation with Silvia, delving into her journey from the opera houses of Italy to becoming one of Australia’s most beloved culinary personalities. It’s an intimate opportunity to hear from a woman whose passion for sharing her cultural heritage has enriched Australia’s food landscape.

The evening culminates with exclusive access to the Museum’s multi-sensory POMPEII experience with exhibition curator Dr Lily Withycombe – a fitting finale that connects the evening’s celebrations to the historical richness of southern Italian culture. It’s a reminder that the traditions we’re celebrating have truly ancient roots.

Cantiamo e Mangiamo: Italian Feast with Silvia Colloca takes place on Friday, 14 March, from 6:30 pm to 10 pm in the Gandel Atrium at the National Museum of Australia. Ticket price of $249 per person (with group discounts available) is all-inclusive, covering the full dining experience, matched wines, entertainment, and exclusive access to the POMPEII experience.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a truly special event. After all, when else will you get to hear an opera performance, enjoy a feast designed by one of Australia’s most beloved Italian chefs, and step into ancient Pompeii – all in one extraordinary evening?