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An evening of singing lords and ladies, living constellations, romping beggars and a feast literally fit for a king is a yuletide tradition at Bemidji State University (BSU).
The 41st Annual Madrigal Dinners was held this past weekend in the Beaux Arts Ballroom. The evening included a masque and a concert, during which the audience and actors enjoyed a five-course meal catered by ARAMARK.
The masque, written by senior K.D. Howells, begins with a conversation between Centaurus the centaur (junior Jesse Villarreal) and the jester (junior Jon Christensen) that is riddled with bawdy puns and innuendos. Centaurus requests that the jester take a wishing stone to the princess and have her wish that all the constellations be returned to their home.
The tomboy princess (junior Kirsten Wade), who is to be married to her wimpy cousin (freshman Danny Polachek) the next day, agrees and wishes the request. Unfortunately, the wording is incorrect, and instead, all the constellations fall from the sky and become living people.
Their behavior upset the king (senior Jake Kaehne) and queen (senior Ashley Bremseth), who then demand that all the constellations be caught.
Between scenes, medieval waiters serve courses to the audience, small ensembles sing for individual tables and beggars harass audience members for their uneaten food. One such beggar even performed a dance to receive a chicken breast.
Following the masque and a scrumptious desert of flaming apple cobbler, the actors perform a Christmas concert, including such pieces as “O Magnum Mysterium,” “I Saw Three Ships” and “Love Came Down at Christmas.”
The Madrigal Dinners were founded by Dr. Paul Brandvik, a professor emeritus of vocal music, under his tenure at BSU. Brandvik's idea became a tradition that caught on with audiences country-wide.
This year's Madrigal Dinners are full of colorful characters, impressive voices and a delectable meal. From beginning to end, the evening is entertaining and well worth the ticket price.
The funds raised by the performances are put towards the Bemidji Choir's tour trip to Europe next year.
The Madrigal Dinners are being held again this upcoming weekend, Friday Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Purchase a $35 ticket at the Box Office in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call the Music Dept. at 218-755-3406.
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