How to Put on a Madrigal Dinner
A madrigal dinner is a modern recreation of an English Renaissance feast held during the 12 days of Christmas. On a day filled with food, music and entertainment, a Madrigal dinner treats guests to actors and musicians in costume. The entire afternoon or evening presentation typically follows one theme or storyline. If you are in charge of putting on a madrigal dinner for your organization, you'll need to know what to direct volunteers to do.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Appoint a head chef to establish the menu. The head chef should also appoint other kitchen help and a waiters staff clear tables throughout the event. A typical menu runs three courses: appetizers include barley soup or salad with wassail to drink, the main course often involves some sort of rice dish with roast beef or fowl, while dessert may consist of fruit, bread pudding or cheesecake.
-
2
Direct one of your more creative volunteers to head up the creation of the costumes. Actors should dress in costumes appropriate for their role in the performance; nobles dressed in bright purples and greens, while peasants often wore brown. Men typically wore boots, pants, a shirt and vest combo and a hat. Women would wear a bodice, shirt, hat, scarf, over and under skirt and shoes. Women's hair was long and often braided.
-
-
3
Appoint a head of music to take charge of vocal and instrumental performances. A traditional madrigal band includes trumpets, trombones, baritones, clarinets and woodwinds. A violinist or acoustic guitarist is an added bonus. The band will accompany the singers, though some songs tend to be a cappella.
-
4
Promote the event by having participants pass out flyers in the community. Perform a snippet of the show for a local TV or radio station. Consider advertising in the local newspaper or in community newsletters.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
