Herald the start of the holiday season with feasting, fire light, friends, and beautiful music at a colonial Madrigal Dinner. Historic St. Mary’s City will host the 43rd annual series of celebrations in the State House of 1676 during the first two weekends in December.
Holiday revelers have feasted through the ages. In the colony, delicacies arrived with the tobacco fleet towards the end of the year and cool weather signaled time for butchering meat and decanting beverages that had fermented since the harvest.
The notion of adding music to the meal was introduced to England from Italy, and the 16th-century lords and ladies of the land enjoyed great madrigal feasts. Today’s madrigal dinners feature other customs that were probably familiar to the colonists. The burning of a Yule log, a common practice by the Middle Ages, was thought to bring good luck in the New Year. Plants that magically remained green through the bleakest times have held a special significance since Ancient Rome. In 15th- and 16th- century England, musicians sang carols to introduce the Christmas story to those who were unable to read.
All of these traditions are part of HSMC’s Madrigal Dinners. Enjoy delectable fare from Expressions of St. Mary’s. Following wassail and appetizers, the meal will feature stuffed chicken breast, pork tenderloin, and oysters. Lavish decorations designed and installed by the Mistress Brent Garden Club will set the stage for beautiful harmonies.
This year, the musical program will be performed by two groups. PING, an elite 12-voice a capella ensemble from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, will sing on December 5 and 7. Dressed as Renaissance troubadours, St. Maries Musica, will offer exquisite harmonies on December 6, 12, and 13.
Join the colonial hosts in the Great Hall (State House of 1676, 47418 Old State House Road) at 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. for the Sunday dinner. Make a night of it! HSMC’s Inn at Brome Howard is offering special post-event rates. Contact Tara at 240-434-3209 to book a room.
Admission is $85 for the general public ($80 current Friends members). Reservations are required and open to the general public on October 10 (October 8 for Friends members). Contact Muffin at 240-895-4991 or events@stmaryscity.org to insure your place at the feast.