NWC to present madrigal dinners Jan. 22-24

The Northwestern College Heritage Singers will present madrigal dinners Jan. 22-24 at 7 p.m. in Vermeer Dining Room.

The dinners, representing a 16th-century medieval feast, will feature a traditional English masque, “The Royal Wedding.” “The royal court includes a jester, king, queen, princess, handmaiden, prince and handperson,” says Dr. Thomas Holm, associate professor of music. “There’s a fair bit of bantering, bungling and finagling that goes on as the king and queen attempt to find a suitable match for the princess. The music is great, and the show is a lot of fun. It’s going to be a wonderful opportunity for people to come and enjoy the combination of fine food and entertainment.”

The masque will be followed by a concert of serious and comic madrigals. The dinner will include salad, prime rib, vegetables and dessert. Dinner and dessert entertainment will include a parade of small-ensemble performances and juggling. Guest musicians will include a small group of “serfs” and the brass quintet.

Lois Estell, a 2006 Northwestern alumna, is serving as drama director, and the Heritage Singers are directed by Holm.

The royal court features Nick Crippin, a junior biology health professions major from Storm Lake, as the king; Larissa Poppen, senior music education major from Kalispell, Mont., as the queen; Laura Briggs, sophomore music major from Grinnell, as Princess Prunella; Beth Kosters, junior biology health professions major from Sibley, as Handmaiden Fawn; Brandon Lenderink, sophomore mathematics major from Sheldon, as Prince Bob; and Zac Poppen, senior cinema and digital video major from Sioux City, as Handperson Orlando. 

Other royal court attendants include Rachel Plockmeyer, a freshman majoring in music education from Zeeland, Mich.; Erin Brogan, an environmental science senior from Orange City; Tim De Haan, a junior majoring in computer information systems from Pella; and Jack Bonnecroy, a freshman computer science major from Orange City.

Reservations are required; tickets are $25 per person. Tickets may be purchased at Northwestern’s music department office in DeWitt Music Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Dec. 4-18, and again from Jan. 12 up to the performance.

Tickets also may be ordered by mail, accompanied by payment for the required number of tickets plus a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Make checks payable to Northwestern College and indicate your first and second choices of dates. Mail to The Royal Wedding, c/o Nora Verburg, Northwestern College, 101 7th St. SW, Orange City, IA 51041. Confirmation and tickets will be mailed in the self-addressed, stamped envelope.

More information is available on a recorded message at 712-707-7258.