Masque

n. dramatic and musical production (especially of the 16th and 17th centuries) for the entertainment of English aristocrats; (also mask)

For other uses, see Masque (disambiguation). The masque was a form of festive courtly entertainment which flourished in sixteenth and early seventeenth century Europe, though it was developed earlier in Italy. (A public version of the masque was the pageant.) Masque involved music and dancing, singing and acting, within an elaborate stage design, in which the architectural framing and costumes might be designed by a renowned architect, to present a deferential allegory flattering to the patron. Professional actors and musicians were hired for the speaking and singing parts. Often, the masquers who did not speak or sing were courtiers: James I's Queen Consort, Anne of Denmark, frequently danced with her ladies in masques between 1603 and 1611, and Henry VIII and Charles I performed in the masques at their courts. In the tradition of masque, Louis XIV danced in ballets at Versailles with music by Lully.
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Noun
1. a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
(synonym) masquerade, mask
(hypernym) party
(hyponym) masked ball, masquerade ball, fancy-dress ball

n. mask, disguise

adj. masked, disguised, hidden

v. mask, hide, conceal; shade, cover

n. masque, dramatic and musical production