Difference between revisions of "Masque"
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| − | Historically the term [[Masque]] refers to a short allegorical dramatic entertainment of the 16th and 17th centuries performed by masked actors.[] | + | Historically the term <big>[[Masque]]</big> refers to a short allegorical dramatic entertainment of the 16th and 17th centuries performed by masked actors.[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masque] |
| − | + | The term is related to the word [[masquerade]], referring to a [[masquerade ball]] or [[bal masqué]][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masquerade_ball]. | |
=[[Masques]] performed in South Africa= | =[[Masques]] performed in South Africa= | ||
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==''[[Masque]]'': The opera (2005)== | ==''[[Masque]]'': The opera (2005)== | ||
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| + | By [[Hans Huyssen]], based on a libretto by [[Ilija Trojanow]]. | ||
===The original text=== | ===The original text=== | ||
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Commissioned by the [[National Arts Council]] and [[Pro Helvetia]]. Premiere: Cape Town, 28.10.2005. | Commissioned by the [[National Arts Council]] and [[Pro Helvetia]]. Premiere: Cape Town, 28.10.2005. | ||
''[[Masque]]'' combines classical, African and baroque ensembles in its scoring, coupled with a cast of European and African singers and masked dancers to portray arts in a multi-cultural setting. | ''[[Masque]]'' combines classical, African and baroque ensembles in its scoring, coupled with a cast of European and African singers and masked dancers to portray arts in a multi-cultural setting. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The libretto is sung in English with some sections in Xhosa and even includes a Zulu praise song. The orchestra included a group of African instruments (the ''uhubu'', the ''mbira'' and the ''akadinda'' amongst others), a contemporary orchestra and a baroque orchestra. | ||
The theme of the opera (based on ''The Origin of Life and Death - African Creation Myths'') revolves around four African masks (The Blind one, the Tired one, the Sad one and Death) placed in a museum that are viewed differently by Western and African people. These masks represent blindness, sleep, sorrow and death, balancing forces sent by God to cure man of his pride. To the Griot (a Mali storyteller) these masks have an emotional attachment and by touching them he brings them to life, thus dispelling the curse that made them lifeless. | The theme of the opera (based on ''The Origin of Life and Death - African Creation Myths'') revolves around four African masks (The Blind one, the Tired one, the Sad one and Death) placed in a museum that are viewed differently by Western and African people. These masks represent blindness, sleep, sorrow and death, balancing forces sent by God to cure man of his pride. To the Griot (a Mali storyteller) these masks have an emotional attachment and by touching them he brings them to life, thus dispelling the curse that made them lifeless. | ||
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=== Performance history in South Africa === | === Performance history in South Africa === | ||
| − | 2005: Presented by [[Cape Town Opera]] in the [[Artscape]] Theatre (28 October – 5 November). With baritone [[Fikile Mvinjelwa]] as the Griot, a traditional African storyteller, and a cast of 10 white and black singers, six dancers from [[Jazzart Dance Theatre]], the 16-piece [[Cape Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble]], a six-piece Early Music group from Innsbruck and the 11-piece Todi Ensemble. | + | 2005: Presented by [[Cape Town Opera]] in the [[Artscape]] Theatre (28 October – 5 November), directed by [[Geoffrey Hyland]]. With baritone [[Fikile Mvinjelwa]] as the Griot, a traditional African storyteller, and a cast of 10 white and black singers, including [[Skhumbuzo Kunene]], [[Arthur Swan]], [[Sophie Harmse]], and six dancers from [[Jazzart Dance Theatre]], the 16-piece [[Cape Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble]], a six-piece Early Music group from Innsbruck and the 11-piece Todi Ensemble. |
| + | |||
| + | = Sources = | ||
| − | + | https://www.britannica.com/art/masque | |
| + | |||
| + | https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masque | ||
| + | |||
| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masque | ||
[[Wayne Muller]]. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis. | [[Wayne Muller]]. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis. | ||
| − | [[Ivan Meredith]]. 2006. 'Opera in South Africa during the first democratic decade'. Unpublished Masters thesis. [[University of Cape Town]]. | + | [[Ivan Meredith]]. 2006. ''Opera in South Africa during the first democratic decade''. Unpublished Masters thesis. [[University of Cape Town]]. |
| + | |||
| + | [[Hilde Roos]]. 2010. 'Opera Production in the Western Cape: Strategies in Search of Indigenisation'. Unpublished PhD thesis. [[Stellenbosch University]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
= Return to = | = Return to = | ||
Latest revision as of 16:45, 17 June 2025
Historically the term Masque refers to a short allegorical dramatic entertainment of the 16th and 17th centuries performed by masked actors.[1]
The term is related to the word masquerade, referring to a masquerade ball or bal masqué[2].
Contents
Masques performed in South Africa
Imported as a concept during the British colonial period and over the years ensuing, there have been a number of local productions referred to as masques.
Among them:
The Masque of the Silver Trees (Juta, 1909)
Other uses of the term
However, besides its use in the general meaning referred to above, the term has also been used metaphorically to refer to at least three specific matters in the South African context:
- The Masque Theatre in Muizenberg (-)
- An African opera by Hans Huyssen, based on a libretto by Ilija Trojanow (2005).
Masque: The pseudonym (circa 1950)
Masque, pseud. 1950. "Shortcomings of the South African stage". Trek, 14(3):27-30.
The Masque theatre (1959-)
See the entry on the Masque Theatre on this website.
Masque: The opera (2005)
By Hans Huyssen, based on a libretto by Ilija Trojanow.
The original text
Commissioned by the National Arts Council and Pro Helvetia. Premiere: Cape Town, 28.10.2005. Masque combines classical, African and baroque ensembles in its scoring, coupled with a cast of European and African singers and masked dancers to portray arts in a multi-cultural setting.
The libretto is sung in English with some sections in Xhosa and even includes a Zulu praise song. The orchestra included a group of African instruments (the uhubu, the mbira and the akadinda amongst others), a contemporary orchestra and a baroque orchestra.
The theme of the opera (based on The Origin of Life and Death - African Creation Myths) revolves around four African masks (The Blind one, the Tired one, the Sad one and Death) placed in a museum that are viewed differently by Western and African people. These masks represent blindness, sleep, sorrow and death, balancing forces sent by God to cure man of his pride. To the Griot (a Mali storyteller) these masks have an emotional attachment and by touching them he brings them to life, thus dispelling the curse that made them lifeless.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
2005: Presented by Cape Town Opera in the Artscape Theatre (28 October – 5 November), directed by Geoffrey Hyland. With baritone Fikile Mvinjelwa as the Griot, a traditional African storyteller, and a cast of 10 white and black singers, including Skhumbuzo Kunene, Arthur Swan, Sophie Harmse, and six dancers from Jazzart Dance Theatre, the 16-piece Cape Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, a six-piece Early Music group from Innsbruck and the 11-piece Todi Ensemble.
Sources
https://www.britannica.com/art/masque
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masque
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masque
Wayne Muller. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis.
Ivan Meredith. 2006. Opera in South Africa during the first democratic decade. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Cape Town.
Hilde Roos. 2010. 'Opera Production in the Western Cape: Strategies in Search of Indigenisation'. Unpublished PhD thesis. Stellenbosch University.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
