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Brainerd High School Choirs 2019 Madrigal Dinners

Brainerd HS A Cappella Choir and Windfall choirs combine to present their annual Madrigal Dinners.

A Madrigal Dinner is a 21st Century re-creation of the Renaissance feasts held in the great baronial halls throughout England during the twelve days of Christmas. If you lived in England during the Sixteenth century and were lucky enough to be one of the favored guests, you would be dazzled with the stunning pageantry, bawdy humor, endless amounts of succulent food, and extraordinary music. The line between sacred and secular would be thinly drawn. One moment you might be regaled with the most risque humor and the next you might listen to, or sing, the most exquisite and ethereal sacred music.
In our 21st Century recreation of these feasts, the entertainment, though not as risque, is nevertheless every bit as dazzling. The royal court, with the King and Queen, and a profusion of cast members including a court jester, wandering minstrels, itinerant actors, recorders, brass ensembles, and all sorts of characters combine in their early English dialogue, laughter, and songs to bring to the audience a wonderful immersion into Renaissance England. The ambiance of the evening is one of warmth, laughter, love and joy.
Most Madrigal Dinners use a Renaissance masque, or play during the evening as the focus of the entertainment. The masque generally ties together the main theme of the event, beginning with a welcome by the Jester and continuing through short entertainments during the meal, culminating in the presentation of the masque itself. A short concert by the full choir, surrounding the audience, follows the play.