Pianist Boris Cepeda and sommelier Zachary Braswell hosted the 'Opus Wine II' Hausmusik event. (credit: Mark Gresham)

Opus Wine II blends Mozart and Syrah in intimate evening of Hausmusik

CONCERT REVIEW:
Opus Wine II: Mozart & Syrah
January 25, 2025
European Piano Academy of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia – USA
Alejandra Sandoval, soprano;José Montañez, tenor; Boris Cepeda, piano; Zachary Braswell, sommelier.
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: selected opera arias

Mark Gresham | 4 FEB 2025

A cozy group of two dozen music and wine enthusiasts gathered on the evening of Jan. 25 for Opus Wine II: Mozart & Syrah – A Harmonious Blend of Genius, an intimate event that combined live operatic performances with guided wine tastings.

Held at the European Piano Academy of Atlanta in the Peachtree Hills neighborhood, the gathering evoked the tradition of Hausmusik—a cornerstone of German and Central European culture in which friends and artists come together in a private setting to share music, conversation, and fine wine.


Advertisement
  • ECMSA 24-25 AD 600x250
  • SCH07 Daniel Hope PCO
  • JCSO 04 From Screen to Stage

Pianist Boris Cepeda provided the musical foundation for the evening, accompanying soprano Alejandra Sandoval and tenor José Montañez in six selections from Mozart’s operas. The program included:

  • “Porgi, amor, qualche ristoro” from Le Nozze di Figaro – Countess Almaviva (Ms. Sandoval)
  • “Fuggi, crudele, fuggi!” from Don Giovanni – Donna Anna & Don Ottavio (Ms. Sandoval & Mr. Montañez)
  • “Il mio tesoro” from Don Giovanni – Don Ottavio (Mr. Montañez)
  • “Crudele? … Non mi dir, bell’idol mio” from La Clemenza di Tito – Vitellia (Ms. Sandoval)
  • “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” from Die Zauberflöte – Tamino (Mr. Montañez)
  • “D’Oreste, d’Ajace ho in seno i tormenti” from Idomeneo – Elettra (Alejandra Sandoval)
Soprano Alejandra Sandoval and tenor José Montañez sing the duet “Fuggi, crudele, fuggi!” from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' with collaborative pianist Boris Cepeda. (credit: Mark Gresham)

Soprano Alejandra Sandoval and tenor José Montañez sing the duet “Fuggi, crudele, fuggi!” from Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ with collaborative pianist Boris Cepeda. (credit: Mark Gresham)

Between performances, sommelier Zachary Braswell guided guests through tastings of four carefully selected Syrah wines from around the world.

Just as Mozart’s music maintains a balance of elegance and intensity, Syrah—known for its expressive but restrained character—was chosen as a fitting vinous counterpart. Four selections in all were presented:

  • 2021 Troon Vineyard Syrah (Applegate Valley, Oregon, USA) – A restrained and elegant Syrah with black and white pepper notes, balanced acidity, and moderate alcohol.
  • 2021 Rebel Rebel Syrah (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – Whole-berry fermented, minimally intervened, and aged 15 months in French oak, showcasing a pure expression of terroir.
  • 2021 Seppeltsfield Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – A bold, fruit-forward Shiraz with peppery spice, dark berries, and a silky yet structured palate.
  • 2019 Domaine Aléofane Crozes-Hermitage (Northern Rhône, France) – A biodynamic Syrah made from old vines, aged in large oak casks to preserve its natural complexity and finesse.
The quartet of Syrah wines. (credit: Mark Gresham)

The quartet of Syrah wines. (credit: Mark Gresham)

Guests were encouraged to savor the nuances of each wine while reflecting on the musical interpretations.

The atmosphere was informal yet refined, with light Italian fare set on a side table for guests to enjoy. By alternating between musical selections and wine discussions, the event allowed for a natural flow of engagement, mirroring the communal spirit of Hausmusik.


Advertisement
  • SPI14 Escher
  • EarRelevant Reader MailChimp sign-up link AD
  • AD TAO 03 Macbeth

Cepeda and Braswell, who co-organized the evening, see great potential in bringing this European tradition to Atlanta’s neighborhoods. With its mix of world-class artistry and conviviality, the Opus Wine events offer a model for cultural salons that could thrive within the city’s vibrant and diverse arts scene.

As the final notes of Mozart’s music faded and the gathered attendees enjoyed their last sips of Syrah, it was clear that this fusion of sound and taste had created something truly special—an experience that left guests eager for the next installment.


Advertisement
  • CMSFW 04 Marmen 25-03-15
  • SPI13 Atlanta's Finest Organists

EXTERNAL LINKS:

About the author:
Mark Gresham is publisher and principal writer of EarRelevant. He began writing as a music journalist over 30 years ago, but has been a composer of music much longer than that. He was the winner of an ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award for music journalism in 2003.

Read more by Mark Gresham.
This entry was posted in Chamber & Recital and tagged , , , on by .

RECENT POSTS