In 1995, Leopoldo Mucci, from Modena, Italy, opened Caffé Tacci, after abandoning his dream to be an opera star. He serves delicious and traditional salads and pastas, meat and fish, in a festive and free-spirited ambiance. I always enjoy myself at Caffé Taci, and tonight was no different. The dim candles did not help my photography, but they added to the romance and raucous singing of patrons, owner, manager, and performers. I heard the chorus from Il Trovatore, with frequent clapping, as well as arias from Rigoletto, La Traviata, Pagliacci, Tosca, La Bohème, and Carmen. Some of the performers have appeared in operas, worldwide, Carnegie Hall, and elsewhere. In addition, when Mr. Mucci spots a visiting opera star at a table, he encourages him/her to take on a solo, as a participant in the festivities. There was even a visiting pianist, Richard Freiburg, a Caffé Taci regular, who plays Chopin.

Iya Fedotova, the pianist since the night Caffé Taci opened, comes from the Ural Mountains in Russia, where she accompanied the singers at the Ural State Conservatory. She is classically trained and will appear at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on June 6, 2003, with Yana Eminova, Soprano, and Los Acustilocos.

The Caffé Taci singers were very professional and able to switch moods and tempo, from coy to conniving, as the music required. They seemed prepared with their own choices of arias, and, occasionally, popular Italian songs, such as O Sole Mio. Sometimes patrons or the owner seemed to make a special request, and Ms. Fedotova was always prepared to play just that song in just that style. She is obviously a pro. The patrons were pros, as well, as they broke into choruses on cue, while performers, solo, in duets, and, in group ensembles, sang with and without music, as Mr. Mucci worked the door and the crowd. Bravo Rosie! Bravo Iya Fedotova! And, Bravo Leopoldo Mucci!