Trevor--
Good background music is stuff like slow Handel (even if it's not for your voice part--these people don't know that, they just know the tunes--like Ombra mai fu, for example); 24 italian hits, believe it or not; anything slowish and pleasing. Don't do big dramatic arias or stuff with a lot of melismas. The people will have trouble eating their dinners.
Yes, find an accompanist, and one who can fill time with piano music (again, soft favorites, not Rachmaninoff) -- because you'll need to take a few breaks. Trust me. I sing a 4 hour shift at an italian restaurant, and you'll need to take a few breathers or you'll be dead the next day.
As for pay, it is customary for a dinner party such as this to ask $100 per performer per hour. At least, that's the way it is in my neck of the woods.
Lauren
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