Saint Paul Food Opera
Mixing the musical and culinary arts by pairing foods with new musical compositions.
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Zeitgeist, composer Ben Houge, and an all-star cast of Saint Paul chefs are teaming up to mix the musical and culinary arts in the Saint Paul Food Opera. Coming October 6-8 to Studio Z in Lowertown, the Saint Paul Food Opera pairs delectable dishes with evocative music, enhancing the experience of both. Houge will create a collection of musical works for Zeitgeist designed to pair with dishes prepared by chefs from Saint Paul restaurants Tongue in Cheek, Saint Dinette, The Handsome Hog, Golden's Lowertown, Izzy’s Ice Cream, and Brake Bread.
Studio Z: 275 East Fourth Street, Suite 200, Saint Paul
Tickets: $35 lunch / $70 dinner SOLD OUT
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About the composer
About the composer
Composer Ben Houge is a former Minnesota resident whose eclectic projects include electronic sound installations and music for video games in addition to traditional chamber and choral music. Video game composers are called upon to provide music for an experience that unfolds over time in a multitude of different ways, depending on how the game is played. This work led Houge to seek out other life experiences that might also be enhanced through combination with music. Dining, a social activity enjoyed by all of us, seemed a natural fit. He began collaborating with a Boston chef to create musical works designed to be experienced while eating particular dishes, with real-time software delivering the music to speakers at each table. Similar to his work created for video games, these compositions are designed to unite the aural and oral experience, enhancing the experience of both and engaging people with art in a new way. SAINT PAUL FOOD OPERA will expand the scope of Houge’s pioneering work by incorporating Zeitgeist’s unique palette, collaborating with multiple culinary artists, and engaging in sustained community involvement. Find out more about Ben Houge's food operas at www.audiogustatory.com.
Composer Ben Houge is a former Minnesota resident whose eclectic projects include electronic sound installations and music for video games in addition to traditional chamber and choral music. Video game composers are called upon to provide music for an experience that unfolds over time in a multitude of different ways, depending on how the game is played. This work led Houge to seek out other life experiences that might also be enhanced through combination with music. Dining, a social activity enjoyed by all of us, seemed a natural fit. He began collaborating with a Boston chef to create musical works designed to be experienced while eating particular dishes, with real-time software delivering the music to speakers at each table. Similar to his work created for video games, these compositions are designed to unite the aural and oral experience, enhancing the experience of both and engaging people with art in a new way. SAINT PAUL FOOD OPERA will expand the scope of Houge’s pioneering work by incorporating Zeitgeist’s unique palette, collaborating with multiple culinary artists, and engaging in sustained community involvement. Find out more about Ben Houge's food operas at www.audiogustatory.com.
About the Restaurants
Tongue in Cheek, a chef-driven restaurant on St. Paul's East Side with a strong focus on sustainable and humane farming practices, will provide an eclectically spiced first course created by chef Leonard Anderson.
Lowertown neighbor Saint Dinette boasts a wide-ranging menu of North American cuisine found in Montreal, New Orleans and along Mexico's Gulf Coast. Chef Adam Eaton will bring these elements together in his culinary contribution.
Tracy Brice of neighborhood mainstay Golden's Lowertown, will provide a dish embracing Golden's farmer's market beginnings with fresh ingredients from the Saint Paul Farmers Market across the street.
Brake Bread, known for fresh baked bread delivered by bicycle, will provide handcrafted bread reflecting its philosophy of what good bread and bicycling encompass--slowing down for good things.
Izzy's Ice Cream will serve ice cream chosen from hundreds of unique flavor combinations of fresh fruits, local ingredients, and delicacies from around the world.
The Handsome Hog, a new contemporary Southern restaurant overlooking Mears Park, specializes in "pig-centric" dishes, though it would be a mistake to skip dessert. Highly acclaimed pastry chef Cheyenne Broughton will serve her GRILLED SWEET CORN CAKE with Kaffir Lime Custard, Jalapeño Honey Blueberries, & Corn Ice Cream.
Lowertown neighbor Saint Dinette boasts a wide-ranging menu of North American cuisine found in Montreal, New Orleans and along Mexico's Gulf Coast. Chef Adam Eaton will bring these elements together in his culinary contribution.
Tracy Brice of neighborhood mainstay Golden's Lowertown, will provide a dish embracing Golden's farmer's market beginnings with fresh ingredients from the Saint Paul Farmers Market across the street.
Brake Bread, known for fresh baked bread delivered by bicycle, will provide handcrafted bread reflecting its philosophy of what good bread and bicycling encompass--slowing down for good things.
Izzy's Ice Cream will serve ice cream chosen from hundreds of unique flavor combinations of fresh fruits, local ingredients, and delicacies from around the world.
The Handsome Hog, a new contemporary Southern restaurant overlooking Mears Park, specializes in "pig-centric" dishes, though it would be a mistake to skip dessert. Highly acclaimed pastry chef Cheyenne Broughton will serve her GRILLED SWEET CORN CAKE with Kaffir Lime Custard, Jalapeño Honey Blueberries, & Corn Ice Cream.
Press
- Saint Paul Food Opera preview: Pioneer Press
- Saint Paul Food Opera preview: Knight Arts
- Star Tribune Fall Arts Guide “Top 10 Classical”
- Star Tribune: “Sample the flavors along St. Paul's Green Line”
- Minneapolis Eater: “Best Food Events”
- 21CM “Innovators” Feature
- Knight Arts: “Connecting communities through unexpected pairings”
- Houge's food opera writings on New Music Box
- Houge’s previous food operas with chef Jason Bond featured on NPR, Kill Screen, and New Music Box
A special thank you to our donors:
Bruce Abbott • Alyssa Anderson • Carol Barnett • Janet & Barry Barringer • Erik Barsness • Katherine Bergman • Philip Blackburn • Cheryl Brown • Andrea Canter • Cheryl Caponi • Craig Carnahan • Melisande Charles • Kay Dawson • Larry Fuchsberg • Laura Goering • Dennis Haack • Dave Hagedorn • Julie Haight-Curran • Steve Heitzeg & Gwen Pappas • Brian Heller • Mariellen Jacobson • Arthur & Martha Kaemmer • Peter Krahn • Daniel La Vigne • Carlton Macy • Bonnie Marshall • Scott Miller • John Minczeski • John Neuchterlein • Kurt Peters • Deborah Pile • Dan Pinkerton • Kathryn Spoelstra • Cynthia Stokes • Julie Stroud • Carrie Vecchione & Rold Erdahl • Steve Vitale • Mark Warnken
Bruce Abbott • Alyssa Anderson • Carol Barnett • Janet & Barry Barringer • Erik Barsness • Katherine Bergman • Philip Blackburn • Cheryl Brown • Andrea Canter • Cheryl Caponi • Craig Carnahan • Melisande Charles • Kay Dawson • Larry Fuchsberg • Laura Goering • Dennis Haack • Dave Hagedorn • Julie Haight-Curran • Steve Heitzeg & Gwen Pappas • Brian Heller • Mariellen Jacobson • Arthur & Martha Kaemmer • Peter Krahn • Daniel La Vigne • Carlton Macy • Bonnie Marshall • Scott Miller • John Minczeski • John Neuchterlein • Kurt Peters • Deborah Pile • Dan Pinkerton • Kathryn Spoelstra • Cynthia Stokes • Julie Stroud • Carrie Vecchione & Rold Erdahl • Steve Vitale • Mark Warnken
