IAMLA Opera à la Carte at the Italian Hall

What happens when opera meets the dinner table? The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) answers that on Sunday, October 25, with Opera à la Carte, a concert staged for Italian Heritage Month. It is one of the more distinctive live music Los Angeles nights on the calendar this week, and it sits in the Downtown LA historic core rather than a big concert hall.

When: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Where: Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Downtown LA Doors: 5:30 PM

What to expect

The program is built around the theme of food, wine, love and passion. It is presented in connection with the museum's exhibition Mangia! The Evolution of Italian Food in the United States, and in collaboration with Opera Italia. Expect beloved selections from the operatic repertoire, including "Libiamo" from Verdi's La Traviata, the playful drinking song "Mesci, Mesci" from Donizetti's Il Campanello, and the Shepherds' Chorus from Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Beyond those favorites, the evening includes comic and dramatic character arias that bring some of opera's most memorable personalities to life. The idea is to show how familiar melodies, humor and storytelling can express celebration, desire, love and a good meal. If you have never been to an opera, a short, themed program in a small museum setting is a friendly way in.

Schedule

The source lists a tight evening, so it is easy to fit around dinner plans:

• 5:30 PM: doors open
• 6:00 PM: concert begins
• 6:40 PM: intermission, with the bar open and serving wine
• 6:55 PM: second half
• 7:20 PM: concert concludes

Practical info

The listing does not publish a ticket price, so check the official event page before you go to confirm admission and whether tickets are needed. Arrive when doors open if you want time to look around the Mangia! exhibition and get a glass of wine before the first aria. The museum is tucked into the historic Italian Hall near Olvera Street and the Plaza, so it pairs easily with an early dinner nearby. Parking and Metro options in the area are plentiful, though weekend evenings around the Plaza can be busy, so leave a little extra time.

For more ideas, browse our concerts page for LA concerts across the city, or see what else is happening in Downtown LA. If you are building a list of things to do in Los Angeles this month, a relaxed Sunday evening of opera, wine and Italian culture is an easy pick.