Cantata Singers to host night of medieval music and merriment

The Prince George Cantata Singers will host a unique event at the Knox Performance Centre on May 10.

A Night of Medieval Merriment is billed as an evening of choral entertainment, feasting and frivolity by the Cantata Singers.

The event will feature live music, a three-course meal provided by My Swiss Chef and drinks from Worth a Shot Mobile Bar.

Kara Steel, president of the Prince George Cantata Singers, spoke with The Citizen about her inspiration for the event.

“This really came from, dare I say, a bit of my love for D&D and a recommendation from other members who had an interest in doing something like this,” said Steel. “It’s been quite a few years since Cantata put on a medieval-style show. I actually brought the idea forward last spring when we were planning the season, and there was immediate interest from the other board members.”

This is the Cantata Singers’ biggest event of the year, and Steel notes it has been in production for more than six months.

Ariane Jarosch, music director of the Prince George Cantata Singers, described what the evening will look like and encouraged guests to get into the spirit.

“We’re encouraging costuming. We’ll all be dressed in period costumes, and each section of the choir has chosen a specific colour and designed a banner that will hang in the hall,” said Jarosch. “It’s going to have a very medieval feel — low lighting, some candles. Guests will arrive and find a table. We’re doing festive seating, so all the tables will be long, seating about 25 people per table so everyone can see the stage.”

In addition to costumes, each section of the choir — soprano, alto and tenor — has designed its own house sigil.

The Cantata team has also researched period-accurate music and selected pieces that represent the era well.

“We’re doing quite a few Gregorian chants and dipping into the Renaissance with a few madrigals, because those are always fun,” said Jarosch. “Some of them are a bit cheeky, which adds a good bit of humour. We’ve got a tavern song — a drinking song — which we hope the audience will participate in. We’ll project the lyrics on a screen and encourage everyone to join in.”

The set list also includes some modern medieval-inspired pieces, such as songs from Game of Thrones, the theme from Henry VIII, and music from the video game Skyrim.

Choral music won’t be the only entertainment on offer. Members of the Cantata Singers will also perform as medieval dancers and troubadours.

Ken Hall, executive director of the Cantata Singers, will perform as a troubadour and shared what attendees can expect.

“We started talking about it maybe six months ago,” said Hall. “The musicians have been choosing music and doing arrangements. The troubadour group hasn’t played together before. The thing about medieval music is that it doesn’t specify which instruments to use. It’s just a melody to have fun with—it’s a little like folk music in that way.”

Tickets are $75 for "royal" seating, which includes the three-course meal, and $35 for "peasant" seating, which includes light snacks and drinks.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit this website.