MADRIGAL SINGERS: INSIGHTS FROM A SPOUSAL GROUPIE

by Kim Marvel

Madrigal music is special. Performers wearing period costumes sing Renaissance-era music. Think of wandering minstrels. Familiar songs, such as Greensleeves and Now is the Month of Maying, are sung acapella in four-part harmony. The melodic lines are interwoven to produce a rich, complex sound. The innate appeal of the music is augmented by the singers’ unique attire – women with billowing sleeves, long dresses, flower wreaths in their hair; men in breeches, tunics, and feathered caps. The audience is magically taken back to 16th century England. Careful listeners attending to the lyrics hear themes of unrequited love, the eternal hope of spring, even humorous, bawdy drinking songs.

Madrigal singers are a main attraction of Renaissance festivals. More than 200 of these memorable events are held across the country each year. The Texas Renaissance Festival, one of the largest, is held near Houston each fall. In Colorado, the festival is convened on summer weekends in a pine forest near Colorado Springs. Attendees are encouraged to wear medieval-era garments; many bring accessories such as masquerade masks, handmade jewelry, tiaras, drinking horns, or even shiny swords. The revelers meander through a medieval village that offers an alluring combination of ancient music, colorful costumes, talented performers, unique shops, and aromatic food. Artisans offer items straight from medieval England: handmade leather items and jewelry, hats, hand-blown glass, and Renaissance clothing (for both knaves and wenches). Performers on multiple stages keep audiences spellbound with their singing, humorous storytelling, risky fire breathing, impressive magic tricks, and, riskiest of all, jousting. Of course, all the entertainment and shopping at the faire creates an appetite. Fortunately, just down the lane are the “Food and Drynk” kitchens and bakeries offering delectable delights such as pork chops on a stick, meatball pies, dragon wings, and funnel cakes. Indeed, based on personal experience at festivals, I can attest that a roasted turkey leg and stein of beer magnify the beauty of the harmonious madrigal singers.

My wife has been a madrigal singer throughout her life. A soprano from a young age, she sang in high school and college choirs and, as we made career moves around the country, in several community choirs. Her love for madrigal singing followed the same course, beginning in college and continuing into her retirement years. Her current madrigal group, in existence for over 30 years, is associated with our church. The small group consists of 8-12 members. The singers range in age from the teens to the 70s, the majority being retirees. Known as the Courtship Singers, their professions are quite diverse and include computer programmers, elementary school teachers, a community college administrator, a university professor, a federal employee, and two students. When they gather to sing, however, they have one common goal: to produce beautiful madrigal music. They perform several times a year at Renaissance and holiday festivals, home concerts, and special church services.

From my admittedly unrefined perspective, successful madrigal singers share three characteristics: a love for Renaissance music and dress, a pleasant, on-pitch singing voice, and, importantly, the ability to blend well with other singers. With a limited number in the group, each singer must have an ear for a balance of all voices. Also, behind the scenes and apparent at rehearsals, another requirement is the ability to cooperate – to maintain social harmony as well as musical harmony. Successful long-term madrigal groups share friendships as well as vocal talent.

My wife’s madrigal group possesses one other unique element: groupies. Groupies, of course, are enthusiastic fans of a musical group who follow the group around, attending their performances with the hope of meeting the singers. In this case, my wife’s madrigal group has spousal groupies. I am one of three men, husbands of singers, who follow the group around. Yes, we proudly refer to ourselves as “Madrigal Groupies.” We fill various roles: drivers, water bottle carriers, photographers. At outdoor performances, we applaud enthusiastically, shouting “Huzzah!” (Medieval-speak for “bravo”) after each song, and drop a $5 bill in the hat to encourage others in the audience to follow suit. Sometimes we even don Renaissance outfits. As groupies, our role is one of support and pride. We realize, of course, how fortunate we are. Unlike most groupies, we already know the musicians. Our wives have the talent, we get a front-row seat. Along with other listeners, our spirits are uplifted by their music and, on occasion, a roasted turkey leg. Huzzah!