Musical Feasts
An intimate feast for the eyes, ears, and palette
Musical Feasts invite you to experience the artistry of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a uniquely intimate way. Generous patrons open their homes to host exclusive, private dinner parties featuring fine dining and magnificent performances by DSO musicians. Thanks to the hosts and to the musicians, who are donating their services, all proceeds from Musical Feasts benefit the DSO and its mission.
A DSO tradition spanning several decades, each feast promises different musical, culinary, and architectural marvels to hear, taste, and behold. In fall 2018, a special Feast was hosted by DSO President and CEO Anne Parsons and her husband Donald Dietz at their historic Detroit loft in Eastern Market—together with Wasserman Projects' Founder Gary L. Wasserman and Co-Founder Charles Kashner.
Anne and Donald's home shares a wall with the gallery and both spaces were formerly Detroit Fire Department buildings, which can be noted in architectural elements left behind in homage to the space's former life.
Director of Wasserman Projects, Alison Wong, kicked off the evening with a tour of the exhibitions then on-view, Marela Zacarias' - "Coatlicue's Return" featuring site specific sculptural works inspired by the City of Detroit and the artist's deep connection to Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals, as well as Sarah Meyohas' - "Speculations", a photographic series and new video installation that explore infinite networks of information, power, and value.
Following the tour, attendees had the rare opportunity to hear John Storgårds play violin for Ravel's duo Sonata, alongside Principal Cello Wei Yu (James C. Gordon Chair). Storgårds, fresh off a plane from Finland to conduct the DSO's weekend performances of Tchaikovsky No. 4., spoke of his travels with violin in tow, "I always want to remain in playing shape."
Yu described the pleasure he takes in “The Bedetti” cello he began playing last year through a generous loan from Lee and Floy Barthel: "I am still learning all of the flavors it has to offer," he smiled. "The Bedetti" cello was crafted in Rome by luthier David Tecchler, ca. 1720.
"The music we are playing tonight is a few hundred years newer than either of our instruments," quipped Storgårds.
A strolling dinner followed the performance, prepared by guest chef Nicholas Geftos, Chef de Cuisine at Motor City's award-winning Iridescence eatery. Geftos explained his love of working with simple, beautiful ingredients that speak for themselves, apparent in the seasonal root vegetable-based first course and roasted chestnuts, each dish sampled by himself as it came to life and either deemed finished or in need of the little bit extra the dish was asking for prior to resting on a dinner plate.
