Ashland’s annual Madrigal Feaste coming Dec. 1-4
The Madrigal Feaste, a tradition at Ashland University, will be held for the 46th time on Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 1-4 at Redwood Hall.
Tickets are on sale for the Madrigal Feaste, a long-standing tradition at Ashland University. The 46th annual event will be held Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 1-4 at Redwood Hall with doors opening at 6 p.m. each night and the royal procession beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Feaste, presented by the department of music at AU, consists of a four-course meal culminating in flaming bread pudding and musical and theatrical entertainment before, during and after the meal. The Elizabethan-style dinner theater is set in late 16th-century England.
The AU Chamber Singers, a select vocal ensemble on campus, are dressed in authentic reproductions of costumes from the time period and perform traditional Christmas carols, ceremonial music and madrigals. An example of ceremonial music is the “Wassail Song” while madrigals are a cappella love songs from 400 years ago that include themes and topics that are comparable to today’s pop music.
Additionally, a court jester provides comic relief. A short play is presented during the middle of the Feaste while the actors also entertain the crowd during dinner and dessert.
The musical director is Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music at AU, and this year’s student leaders include Matthew Plumb as King, Lila Wolfe as Queen and Leanna Uselton as Jester.
Tickets must be purchased in advance of the Madrigal Feaste, and sales will end Monday, Nov. 28. In-person purchases can be made at the AU campus store while tickets also can be purchased at ashland.universitytickets.com.
For more information call or email Ron Blackley at 419-289-5114 or rblackle@ashland.edu.