AU Madrigal Feaste Featured in Beacon Journal

2017 AU Madrigal Singers

In the Thursday, Nov. 14 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal, an article was published about Area groups keep madrigal dinner custom alive. Ashland University's Madrigal Feaste was recognized with the following section:

Longtime feast 

For longevity, the Ashland University Feaste, started in 1976 by late choral director Calvin Rogers, takes the prize. The school’s 44th annual event will run before Thanksgiving this year, for five shows at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20-24 in Redwood Hall, 1005 King Road. 

Led by choral director Rowland Blackley, the 17-member Chamber Singers perform ceremonial music, Christmas carols and madrigals based in Elizabethan England. Music includes “The Boarshead Carol,” “Gloucestershire Wassail” and a final “Silent Night” by candlelight.

“I inherited this as a strong traditional event,” said Blackley, who performed in Kent State’s madrigal feasts when he was a graduate student. 

The Madrigal Players also will offer a comedic play and improvisation. Rounding out the cast will be fanfare trumpeters, the court jester, butler and serving wenches. Each night, the four-course meal by the university’s in-house catering service culminates with flaming bread pudding. 

While other Northeast Ohio feasts have fallen by the wayside over the years, AU’s has continued because it keeps its costs down by keeping all of the work in-house, from food to costumes to servers from the choral program. 

The players offer a 15-minute skit that Blackley described as “fractured fairytales.” The jester and his troupe interact with guests during dinner, and the royal court serenades tableside. 

Tickets cost $28 for adults or $18 for children under 12. Children’s tickets can only be purchased directly through the box office at 419-289-5125. For adult tickets, see www.ashland.edu/tickets or call the box office. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Read about the other feasts throughout Northeast Ohio here.