The Dorchester Avenue eatery Caffe Zia Gianna will host “A Taste of Opera,” an event featuring a four-course meal and tenor David Bozon of the New England Conservatory of Music, this Sunday (Oct. 7) at 6 p.m.. Bozon will sing excerpts from Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.”
The dinner show is being co-sponsored by Caffe Gianna, Opera Talk Italy, and the New England Opera Club. Part of the proceeds will benefit Boston City Singers, a Dorchester-based choral program.

The night will give residents of all ages the opportunity to hear a classically trained vocalist, learn about opera as an artform, and gain insights into the historical context of the Rossini masterpiece, which will be performed at the Boston Lyric Opera from October 12 through October 21.

Savin Hill’s Peter McNamara, president of the New England Opera Club, says he came up with the idea for “A Taste of Opera” as a way to support a children’s music program, a local restaurant, and the local opera scene, all at the same time.

“People don’t realize how many people involved in the opera community are here in Dorchester,” he said. “When I go to an event concerning opera I always see people from Dorchester.”

The event, part of the “Opera Talk Italy” series that regularly takes place in Watertown, aims to help newcomers or seasoned veterans of opera gain a deeper appreciation of the opera art form.

“When we started 28 years ago, our mission was to educate people with opera,” said McNamara. “Since I’ve become president I’ve tweaked it to wanting to deal with children. The Boston City Singers have an incredible children’s program. I went to one of their rehearsals and was really impressed. Besides teaching them voice, they’re also teaching them social values.”

Boston City Singers Managing Director Melissa Graham expressed excitement about the potential partnership between her nonprofit and the New England Opera Club. “Peter reached out to us because our opera kids program is right in sync with their New England Opera Club,” she said. “We were delighted to hear that a portion of the proceeds were going to benefit us.”

The $50 ticket price includes a four-course Italian meal, tenor Bozon’s performance, and a pre-opera discussion. Beverages and a selection of wines will be available for purchase. To make reservations, call 617-436-2368. For more information, contact Peter McNamara at neoperaclub@gmail.com, or the restaurant at info@ziagianna.com.