Madrigal Feaste set for Dec. 4 and 5

Choral students at Benton Consolidated High School have been rehearsing since school began for the annual Madrigal Feaste.

Marley Tritsch and Caleb Dehne, both seniors, will be hosting the Feaste as lord and lady of the castle for “A Magical Feaste,” scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 5, at the Benton Civic Center.

Reservations are being accepted until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for the annual Madrigal Feaste, Dehne said.

The Gardens Restaurant in Christopher is catering the event. The Benton Civic Center is located at 414 Hudelson St. Doors open at 6 o’clock each evening and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tritsch said tickets are $20 each.

“The ticket price includes the Feaste and the program that involves the Royal Court, musicians, actors, dancers, kings, queens and fools,” she said.

Tickets may be reserved by calling Benton Consolidated High School at 439-3103 during school hours.

The Madrigal Singers, directed by Kevin Webster, have two evenings of nostalgia planned.

“The annual Madrigal Feaste is in the musical style of the mid- to late-1500s,” Webster said. “Included with traditional Christmas music are love poems and prose. The Lord and Lady, Caleb and Marley, have invited the common folk to the feaste to celebrate good crops and good fortune for the future.”

Dehne said this is his fourth year in the production. Tritsch said she has participated in three Feastes.

“As king and queen, it is Marley’s job to keep everyone in time with the music,” he said. “We will be singing a love duet during the Feaste, that was written for us by Mr. Webster.”

Tritsch said although the Madrigal Singers have been rehearsing since August, the names of the king and queen were not known until recently.

“Mr. Webster told us that we would be the king and queen of the Feaste in either September or October,” she said.

Webster said senior members of the Madrigal Singers always portray the roles.

“It isn’t necessarily about vocal or acting skills,” he said. “I also look for those with leadership qualities. It is important to lead the rest of the performers.”

Dehne said this is the final performance for four seniors.

“Our roles will be assumed by the graduating seniors next year,” he said.

Webster said this is the 31st year of the event.

“Auditions are open to all high school students from freshmen through their senior year,” he said. “Auditions are held in the spring. I look for singing talent, as well as leadership and dedication to the role of being a Madrigal Singer.”

Tritsch admits she still gets nervous.

“Although I have participated in three Madrigal Feastes, I still get nervous before each production begins,” she said.

Dehne said he also gets nervous before each production.

“We are both very excited to be selected as king and queen of this year’s Madrigal Feaste,” he said.

Webster said each evening begins with the Feaste.

“Guests will be treated to an abundant array of foods that will include a variety of meats, hot vegetables, a vegetable tray and cheeses,” he said.

“This will be my ninth Feaste. Also in Madrigal tradition, hot wassail will be served, followed by a dinner theater style program that features traditional Christmas music and compositions performed in the renaissance style.”

Tritsch said musical selections include “A Great and Mighty Wonder,” and “Carol of the Bells.”
“The love duet that Caleb and I will perform is entitled ‘After all These Years,’” she said. “It is a great honor to be among the performers. Those who are selected during the audition process are eligible to be in the Madrigal Feaste production all four years of high school.”

Webster said the two evenings provide quality entertainment and food at an affordable price.

“I have compared prices with other Madrigal Feastes,” he said. “In many locales, a production of this size and the food served would cost three times as much as we charge. We hope for a huge crowd, especially given the fact that the Feaste will be held in the Benton Civic Center this year.

“We still have seats available for more people. Reservations are on a will-call basis, meaning the reservations will be acknowledged at the ticket table,” Webster said.

“The evenings include a wonderful instrumental consort of students at both the high school and grade school level, under the direction of Karen King.”