Mascherata

A mascherata (Italian f., literally 'masquerade') is a dance from the sixteenth century and was particularly popular in Florence.[1] It was performed by costumed dancers, and frequently pantomimed Roman and Greek themes in them. At the time, it was often associated with villanella, and performed at carnivals with the musicians and singers atop floats.[2][3][4]

Content

Frequently the performance was satyrical, and many times there were racist undertones in the archetypes or costumes. Generally there wasn't much dramatic content, and most were meant to be humorous.[5]

Etymology

The term mascherata is the past, plural, and feminine version of mascherare which means to mask or hide.[6]

Lassus

Orlande de Lassus was considered the master of mascheratas, and he wrote many of his pieces (mostly madrigals) while in Rome, which saw the birth of madrigals, and more specifically mascheratas.[7]

See also

The wiktionary definition of Mascherata

References
  1. Denis Arnold, "Mascherata", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed June 18, 2008), (subscription access)
  2. Denis Arnold, "Mascherata", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed June 18, 2008), (subscription access)
  3. "Music dictionary: M-Ma." Dolmet. 17 Jun 2008 <http://www.dolmetsch.com/defsm.htm>
  4. "Music Encyclopedia: Mascherata." Answers.com. 17 Jun 2008 <http://www.answers.com/topic/mascherata?cat=entertainment>
  5. Denis Arnold, "Mascherata", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed June 18, 2008), (subscription access)
  6. "Mascherata." Wiktionary. 17 Jun 2008 <http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mascherata>
  7. Denis Arnold, "Mascherata", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed June 18, 2008), (subscription access)


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