Would you care for some Puccini with that pasta? How about a little Rigoletto with your risotto? The concept of combining the sounds of opera with the tastes and smells of Italian cuisine was integral to the creation of the Verdi Chorus, which celebrates its 40th anniversary with a pair of concerts Nov. 18 and 19 in Santa Monica.

Things have changed a lot for the ensemble since the early 1980s. Food service is a thing of the distant past for the chorus. Its artistic ambitions have risen enormously; its repertoire has expanded exponentially. But its essential mission — bringing singers together to perform great opera choruses — remains the same. And the product remains uniquely delectable.