Following Evensong, all are invited to the Christ Church Rectory for the Rector’s Annual New Year’s Day Open House and New Year’s Masque!
What is a masque??? The masque was a form of festive courtly entertainment which flourished in 16th and early 17th century Europe. A masque involved music and dancing, singing and acting. Professional actors and musicians were hired for the speaking and singing parts. Of all the arts of the Renaissance, the masque is the artistic form most alien to audiences today. The most outstanding humanists, poets and artists of the day, in the full intensity of their creative powers, devoted themselves to producing masques; and until the Puritans closed the English theatres in 1642, the masque was the highest artform in England. But because of its ephemeral nature, not a lot of documentation related to masques remains, and much of what is said about the production and enjoyment of masques is still part speculation.
While we cannot promise dancing, we will have music and singing, and some acting to accompany a fully-laden holiday board -- an evening of music, merriment, and mummery -- and food and drink!
For more information, please call 718 875 3144.
