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The Dartmouth
July 15, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

'Feast of Song' stages an evening of theater and music

Looking for a night of music, theatre, dancing, and dining? You don't even have to leave Hanover to find it. Join the Chamber Singers in "A Feast of Song" premiering tonight at 6 p.m.in Collis Common Ground.

This year's "A Feast of Song" promises to be an evening full of surprises. Expect to be dazzled and thoroughly drawn in by tonight's premiere of "A Feast of Song". Enhancing the ambience are period Bavarian costumes created by the drama department, as well as Bavarian cuisine for dinner. "It's a lot of fun. Everyone is kind of transported," cast member Emily McConnell '97 said.

The "Feast" is set in the 16th century court of the Elector and Duke of Bavaria, Maximilian I. The music and entertainment which form the foundation for the production are deftly woven into the dramatic action.

Conductor Melinda O'Neal said, "We put the music into its context. This is a court entertainment."

The music is by court composer Hans Leo Hassler, who wrote the songs based on period German music. Accompanying the Chamber Singers are two instrumental groups, the Brass Ensemble and the Early Music Ensemble. Period instruments including gambas, recorders and percussion pieces are joined with a contemporary harp to provide the Early Music Ensemble's sound.

In a departure from a standard Chamber Singers concert, the music in "A Feast of Song" is connected to dramatic action; however, "It is not so well integrated into the drama that it disappears," O'Neal said.

The dramatic action is centered around the impending wedding of Don Carlos of Spain to Anne of Austria. She is the daughter of Maximilian II, the Roman Emperor. As the family assembles and the pre-nuptial ceremonies progress, love, political and filial issues are teased out, subtly clashing in a spiral of intrigue.

Script Chair Nick Bernstein '95 said, "Our guests at 'Feast' have the privilege of being omniscient for a few hours as the plot unfolds."

Featured Chamber Singers performers include Sal Spataro '96 as host Maximilian I, Tom Farley '98 as Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, Emily McConnell '97 as Anne of Austria, Colin Bills '98 as Don Carlos of Spain, and Matt Gordon '98 as King Philip of Spain.

"A Feast of Song" is an annual event put on by the Chamber Singers. Their conductor O'Neal explained that each year a different country is featured, rotating among Germany, England, Italy, France, and Spain.

This year's 'Feast' showcases the experience gained by the Chamber Singers during their tour in Munich, Germany last spring. The group concentrated on rehearsing for this production beginning the week before Thanksgiving, though some of the songs were featured in their fall concert.

"The audience will be immersed in joyful insanity," McConnell '97 said. O'Neal described it as a "dinner-theatre" atmosphere in which the performers are not only dancing, singing and acting, but also waiting on the tables.

Tickets are available from the Hopkins Center box office and admission is by advance ticket purchase only. The performances are staged on January 12, 14, 19, 20, 21.

Tickets must be reserved by 2 PM the same day. Prices are $22 for general admission and $12 for Dartmouth students. Opening night tickets are still available but they must be reserved today. The court of Maximilian I is assembling to order, and you are invited!