Our children's choir was graciously invited by our choir director to attend a Madrigal Dinner put on by a somewhat local high school. This was their 38th year presenting a Madrigal Dinner! In the invitation from the Madrigal Dinner Troupe was mentioned, "Guests are invited to attend in Renaissance costume, if that should so please ye Lords and Ladies." Therefore, we all dressed up!
My mom gave me my grandma's mink coat so I sported that along with a lovely black fox muff a friend of mine gave me. My husband thought I looked like a polar bear in the coat and decided to order me a fur cap to match the muff, I believe that would now make me look like a panda bear. It's ok... I like bears. (Yes, I know pandas aren't technically "bears" but they are bear-like in their cute stature.)
It might be noted most people did not read the invitation to dress according to Renaissance attire.We were pretty much the only people other than the entertainers who were dressed up. I think people noticed! :D
Our beautiful children's choir!
The evening began in the hallway with musicians playing Christmas music.
Our troupe was complete with our very own Duchess...
.... and queen!
Signing in.
I'm not sure "excited" is the word for Poppy. Elated, ecstatic.
To be 5 is to have the whole world be perfect and exciting.
The hallways were strung with coats of arms.
We were served appetizers by the wandering mistresses.
Music and more music.
We were seated at "Oatlands Manor"
People would try to bribe the host... or whatever he was... to bring them to their seats first, hence all the goodies and money in his hands.
We were fed (and fed and fed) a full 7 courses! The menu was:
Wassail Cuppes
Ye Olde Turkey and Ham Rolls
Cheese Morsels
Sausage Byts
- - - - - - - - -
Bubbling Spyrts
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Lettuse Spyrts
Soupe of the Castle
Bread
- - - - - - - - -
Chicken with Herbs
Red Botata
Green Beans Almondine with Herb Butter
Cranberry Apple Chutney
- - - - - - - - -
Sherbert
- - - - - - - - -
Fresh Fruit Platter
- - - - - - - - -
Bread Pudding
The whole setting was splendid, it was set up to give the feel and air of eating in a castle, complete with jesters, music, singing, entertainment of all sorts while people hailed the wandering mistresses, coffee wenches and others to fill their various eating and drinking needs.
The singing absolutely superb! Some of the songs included: "Here we come A Wassailing" and "Wassial, Wassail" (during the serving of the "Wassail"(I actually never knew what "Wassail" was until this dinner. "Doxology"* "The Boar's Head Carol" * "Ding Dong! Merrily on High" * "One Still and Silent Night" * "Personent Hodie" * "Sicut Cervus" * "Ding-a Ding-a Dong" * "Soli Deo Gloria" * "Bidi Bom" * "Men in Tights" * "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (complete with a superb acting out of the verses) * "Stille Nacht"
It was truly a lovely evening! We were there for FOUR hours! Very, very enjoyable... and delicous!
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