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Renaissance Christmas Feast set for Dec. 3-4

Submitted Photo This photo of a past Renaissance Christmas Feast includes, from the left, Gene Curtiss, Jester; Eric Furuseth, Lord of the Manor; Pamela Hopkins, Lady of the Manor; and Ariel Hirzel, Jester. This year’s event will be Dec. 3-4 at the Regency Events Center in downtown Minot.

The Minot Chamber Chorale is kicking off the Christmas season with “A Renaissance Christmas” directed by Emerson Eads.

“Our 48th Renaissance Feast will be held at the Regency Events Center on Dec. 3 and 4,” said Eric Furuseth, the Renaissance event’s Lord of the Manor.

The Regency Events Center is located at 105 1st Ave. SE in downtown Minot.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A social hour and silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the feast itself begins at 7 p.m.

The Renaissance Feast was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have a great show in a perfect new venue with a new look and improvements, but mostly it is the great traditional show that has kicked off Christmas so effectively for so many in western North Dakota,” Furuseth said.

Furuseth said director Emerson Eads “has programmed an especially beautiful musical centerpiece for the concert, “Et In Terra Pax,’ giving our Feast this year the title of ‘Peace on Earth.'”

“We are delighted to provide ‘Et In Terra Pax,’ a Christmas cantata by Gerald Finzi that to my knowledge has never been performed here,” said Eads. “It features Erik Anderson, baritone, and Maren Livingston, soprano, as our soloists and, of course, the Minot Chamber Chorale accompanied by strings and harp. This is the featured concert amid the traditional Renaissance Feast that the Minot Chamber Chorale has put on for decades. We’re delighted to hold it at Minot’s Regency Event Center – a lovely setting for choral singing.”

Eads said Anderson “is absolutely splendid as the baritone soloist, and Maren is simply heavenly as the angel who appears with the message: ‘Fear not.’

“The message of this piece will touch every listener, and the meal and script will be a delightful way to usher in the Christmas season,” Eads said.

Furuseth has been the Renaissance Feast’s Lord of the Manor for 28 years and said he has “enjoyed every one of them.”

“The lovely Pamela Hopkins returns as Lady of the Manor. The Jester this year will be the famous Jake Thrailkill, putting on the bells for the third time. The spectacle of the choir members dressed in their Renaissance finery is always a great sight. We will share song, joy and laughter with you,” Furuseth said.

Hopkins has been singing with the Chamber Chorale for 33 years. “Coming from Southern California, I was amazed that a smaller city had so much talent and imagination. I’m excited that we’re able to perform this year in the Regency Event Center.

“The Renaissance Christmas Feast helps usher in the Christmas spirit for all and offers a great night of entertainment,” Hopkins said.

“Of course, the great choral tradition of Christmas is the main reason why we do the event,” Furuseth said. “The Minot Chamber Chorale has been rehearsing for many weeks in preparation for this, our biggest show of the year.”

“Providing the authentic atmosphere for the feast are the recorder consort, the brass quintet and a wonderful harpist who has been brought in as a guest,” Furuseth added.

How to obtain Renaissance Feast tickets

Tickets, including dinner and the show, are $40 for adults and $15 for children. They can be purchased at minotchamberchorale.org/renaissance or by calling 701-500-8810.

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