2011-2012 Chamber Singers

Traditions of the Madrigal Dinner

The Madrigal Dinner is a modern invention based on several Renaissance and Medieval traditions. The basic idea of a dinner with music harkens back to the times when musical training was essential to good breeding. To amuse one another at home and during celebrations, guests would prepare and perform many of the kinds of music you will hear during the night's dinner, especially madrigals and carols.