For more than 55 years, the Illinois State University Madrigal Singers have entertained audiences during the holidays. This year, we’re hosting a special event that will provide the opportunity to hear both the Madrigal singers and also see great art from ISU alumni and friends.
Join us for Madrigal Eve, which will include an art exhibition featuring ISU alumni Herb Eaton and Mark Forth as well as selections from ISU’s acclaimed Normal Editions Workshop. Then experience one of the nation’s oldest Madrigal ensembles performing classics and new favorites under the direction of Professor Karyl Carlson.
Two Madrigal Eve nights are available:
7 p.m. on Friday, December 9
7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10
ISU Alumni Center
1101 N. Main St.
Normal, IL 61790
Tickets are $15 for food and dessert reception, festive drinks, and the concert. Cash bar also available.
Purchase your tickets today online or call the box office at (309) 438-2535.
I wish I could be there! Congratulations on 55 years. I sang with the Summer Madrigals in 1981 at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. It was a wonderful experience. Thank-you Professor Carlson for continuing the tradition of excellence in choral music at Illinois State University.
Greetings, Sandy! Thank you for your wonderful wishes about the Madrigals! It’s gratifying for all of us to be part of such a long-standing tradition at ISU. Please feel welcome back to campus any time, and come sing with the current Madrigals! Thanks again for your kind message. Wassail!
Alas, dress rehearsal and performance with teh Quincy Symphony Chorus those nights and thus I cannot make it. My best wishes for a delightful event, glorious run, and continued growth for all music students at ISU.
Hi Kevin! Thank you for your message! I’m happy to know you are continuing to sing in Quincy. We look forward to the Madrigal Eve, and hope you can come back and visit another time.
I had hoped to go this year as my daughter is a graduate student in Theatre this year at ISU. From what I can tell from the web site, the Madrigal experience is not at all like the dinners we sang in the 70’s! I was surprised there was only one week end. Is there a place on line where we can see some of the presentation? Is there a DVD available? What I wouldn’t give to have a DVD of the dinners we sang so many years ago!
Hi Donna! Thanks for your message. We don’t yet have any video of this Madrigal Eve. And..yes…it’s not like the Madrigal Dinners of the past…financial constraints and consumer demand have caused us to change with the times. But it’s a great evening to share with friends and family, and showcases our incredibly talented singers! The show is still in the spirit of tradition, however, with Wassail, and the Boar’s Head! We’re even doing a world premier of a new piece! I have some videotapes of a few shows from the past, I’ll get them converted to DVD. Please keep in touch so I can let you know: kkcarlson@ilstu.edu. (And hopefully, see you at show in the future!)
Cheers! Karyl Carlson