There's also a "Tapas Party with Carmen," a "Mozart Dessert Menu" (our Amadeus was notoriously fond of sweets), a "Rustic Dinner with Verdi" (featuring Falstaff's fig and prosciutto penne), a "Hansel and Gretel Children's Party," an "English Pub Supper with Gilbert and Sullivan" (including Little Buttercup's scones), and an "All-American Brunch with Gershwin" (ending with Porgy's peach ice cream).

The book includes lip-smacking photographs of the meals by Mark Thomas, along with sumptuous opera production photos supplied by the Guild, anecdotes about opera stars and food, and pens_es from the great opera composers. There's even a forward by Ren_e Fleming.

Francine Segan will sign copies of The Opera Lover's Cookbook, and offer samples of the recipes included in the book, on Thursday, November 16 at the Metropolitan Opera Shop, in the north lobby of the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York. This free event is hosted by the Metropolitan Opera Guild.