Garibaldi-Meucci Bus Trip Celebrates Italian Cuisine and Opera

On Thursday, April 14 the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will sponsor an afternoon celebrating two of the joys of Italian culture-food and opera. There are still a few seats remaining for the bus trip to Manhattan that will include a lunch at Carmine's-the legendary family-style Italian restaurant-and a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera House.

When restaurateur Artie Cutler created Carmine's he had one goal in mind: to open a restaurant that would serve every meal in the style of an Italian American wedding feast, featuring extra large portions of home-style antipasto, pastas, seafood and meat entrees served on extra large platters designed for sharing. Our guests will be served a very special four-course lunch by Carmine's impeccable staff.

After lunch, the backstage tour at the Metropolitan Opera House will offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the expansive scenic and carpentry shops where sets are built and painted; the costume, wardrobe, make-up, and wig departments that prep and primp the star singers for the stage; rehearsal rooms where productions first take shape; the massive stage complex where the action comes to life; and the crown jewel auditorium.

Tickets are $85 per person and include the lunch, the tour and transportation. The bus will leave at 10:30 a.m. from Clove Lake Park at Victory Boulevard in front of the ice skating rink.

Checks should be made payable to "Garibaldi-Meucci Museum" and sent to 420 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. For more information call Carol Berardi at 718-448-1398.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, however the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation; Coccia Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Regrant in partnership with the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI) and by grants allocated by New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.