Many talented world-renowned composers were well versed in the art of culinary art. They even composed musical pieces about food, such as the miniature Four Snacks by Rossini or Bach’s Coffee Cantata.
In return, the chefs, inspired by the music, named their culinary masterpieces after the great musicians. That is why we sometimes come across appetizers, salads and desserts named after the composers.
So, Italian Gioacchino Rossini was known as a famous gourmet. In addition to composing his famous operas, the composer loved to create with passion in the kitchen, combining exquisite products. One of such compositions – foie gras with truffles, which Rossini considered ideal, is still named after him. Also in the gastronomic world there is a la Rossini pasta, chicken, omelet and, of course, Rossini’s tournedo – beef fillet with foie gras and truffles with Madeira sauce.
Several years ago the book “Rossini and the Sin of Gluttony” was published, which contains fifty author’s recipes of the composer. Stendhal wrote that the aria of the main character from the opera Tancred was known as “Rice” because it was created during the preparation of risotto.
Composer Daniel Aubert considered the founder of the genre of French grand opera. He visited expensive restaurants every now and then, and his popularity was so great that the chefs of these establishments dedicated their dishes to him. This is how Aubert eggs or Ober eggs appeared in honor of the French composer. To prepare them, the tomato halves were filled with minced fried chicken mixed with truffles, a poached egg was laid on top and served with currency sauce and truffles cooked in sherry.
Hector Berlioz became a revolutionary in the world of music. He preferred to create his ardent innovative works while sitting at a table in a cafe or restaurant. One of these establishments, Café de Paris, Berlioz mentioned in his memoirs that it was their desserts that witnessed the birth of the composer’s brilliant works. Most of all, Berlioz preferred to order chicken fricassee, because after the death of the musician, the famous French culinary specialist Casimir Moisson named his Chicken Breasts a la Berlioz in honor of the composer.
Many people know Mozartkugel sweets named after the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart… These are chocolate products with marzipan, incredibly tender and delicious. The composer inspired the Salzuburg confectioner Paul Furst to create them. The candy is made by hand in a small pastry shop in Salzburg according to an old original recipe called Original Salzburger Mozartkugel.
One of the most famous Sicilian dishes, pasta à la Norma has two versions of its origin. Both are associated with the great composer Vincenzo Bellini and his famous opera Norma. According to the first legend, the composer used to order vegetarian eggplant pasta at a restaurant. And after the runaway success of the opera, the restaurant owner named this dish after her. According to another version, the Sicilian writer Nino Mortolio, having tasted eggplant pasta, exclaimed “Norma!”, Thereby equating the culinary masterpiece with the famous opera.
Author of operas “La Traviata” and “Aida” Giuseppe Verdi was a lover of Italian pasta, the canneloni dish with ham a la Verdi is named after him. The composer himself was a fan of exclusively natural products and kept a large farm all his life, where he grew organic products and constantly experimented with their preparation in his kitchen. His food was as simple as possible and very tasty.
A good idea for a gourmet dinner is to prepare one of the dishes known for their relationship to famous composers. And during the meal, include the works of this composer. The real sound of taste!