An Evening Fit for a King Brings Song to UCI Hearts

Listen all ye people . . . be on your best behavior for ye sit at the King’s table this night! Wipe not thy snivelled nose upon thy cap or thy sleeve . . . bones should be hidden under thy chairs!

A lesson in 16th-Century manners kicked off Friday night’s 15th annual Madrigal Dinner held on stage at the Fine Arts Village Theatre at UC Irvine.

Good thing. In seconds, via “hypnosis” by a town crier, the gala’s 300 guests had been transported to the Palace of Westminster wedding feast in 1539 that celebrated King Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne of Cleves.

“Stand for the King!” the crier yelled as Henry approached.

This was the moment the crowd had been waiting for. Resplendent in gold brocade, Henry (Buddy James, a choral conducting student from Akron, Ohio) paraded before his subjects and, taking his royal seat with members of his elegantly clad court, demanded a wassail toast.

Before the evening was over, guests had dined on Renaissance-style fare (roast beef with marshberry glaze and plum pudding with rum sauce), heard a concert of Tudor England songs (some of which were written by King Henry himself) and laughed at a court jester until their sides ached.

Welcome to one of Orange County society’s most popular holiday traditions. In its 15-year history, the dinner produced and performed by UC Irvine choral organizations has attracted thousands of guests, many of whom use the event to launch their holiday celebrations.

“We came last year and liked it so much we decided to come again, bring friends, and give the evening to them as a Christmas present,” said David Fischer of Irvine. Fischer attended with his wife, Margie (who, like some other lucky guests, got to take a twirl on the dance floor with King Henry), and pals Ray and June Young of Torrance. Fischer’s son, Douglas, and his wife, Laurie, also attended.

The benefit for the university’s choral organizations was created to teach students about music’s place in history, say its founders, Joseph and Melinda Huszti.

“The event teaches students that, in the past, music was very integrated with society,” said Melinda, creator of the production’s period costumes and jewelry. “And it answers the question of how music fit in.

“It’s an educational event for the audience too. We sugarcoat it, but everybody learns something.” The event is so popular with students that some of them have delayed their graduations to participate, says Joseph Huszti, director of vocal and choral programs at UC Irvine. “And the kids keep coming back, year after year, to help us. It’s great fun, but it’s a huge volunteer effort.”

The gala has earned a reputation for its authenticity, right down to the soothing pease pottage --a creamy mix of peas and spinach--served up as the fifth course. “We have traveled all over the world researching the costumes and customs,” said Joseph Huszti. “We have actually gone to the palaces and halls where Henry had banquets.”

Each year, Huszti takes a different aspect of Henry’s life and presents it at the dinner.

Why Henry? “He’s such a fascinating person and so much has been written about him,” he said. “He was the major Renaissance king.”

In 1539, Henry’s advisers were urging him to marry for a fourth time. His grand counselor, Thomas Cromwell (Steve Simon), wanted him to marry Anne of Cleves, a woman he felt could enhance the king’s diplomatic relations.

Ambassadors sent to view Anne reported that her unusual clothing made it hard to determine her size. Headpieces obscured her face. Yet Hans Holbein the Younger, the court painter, returned from Cleves with a likeness of a lovely woman.

When Henry finally saw Anne (on the night of their wedding feast), he abhorred her on sight.

No problem for the Madrigal Dinner’s Henry. He simply had his court scream a very 20th-Century “NOT!”

“We do have our anachronisms,” whispered Joseph Huszti.