The Probert Encyclopaedia of Music

MASQUE

A masque is a form of semi-dramatic entertainment, in which a large part is played by singing and dancing. Promiscuous 'mumming' or 'disguising' with ' visors' was forbidden in London civic orders of the 15th century. The custom was, however, retained as a form of Christmas revels. It was the custom for the mummers to enter the hall and call on the guests to dice and dance with them. Originally this was perhaps done in dumb show, but in time dialogues and songs were used, and several examples are amongst the verses of Henry VI' s court poet, John Lydgate. The Tudor kings had sumptuous masques, with elaborate dresses and pageants or structures of painted carpentry of allegorical design on which the performers entered. The actual term 'mask' is first used in 1513, and before long supplanted both 'mumming' and ' disguising'. Under James I and his successor the masques were lavishly ornamented, Inigo Jones being usually employed to design them, while the music was entrusted to Henry Lawes, and the dialogue and songs to Ben Jonson or some other poet. The dance continued to be the central feature of the entertainment, and the masques were the lords and ladies of the court. The subject matter was generally mythical, pastoral or allegorical; but Jonson was fond of introducing what he called an 'antimasque', in which the characters, for the sake of contrast, were grotesques.
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