Masque Dance and Music at the Jacobean Court

This is a very special opportunity to enjoy and understand how a Jacobean masque functions, through a recreation of The Lords’ Masque, written by Thomas Campion for the nuptials of Elizabeth, Princess of England and First Lady of Scotland, the daughter of James I, on 14th February, 1613. The team of tutors has experience and expertise in the recreation of Stuart masques (the English ballet de cour), bringing to life the texts with the dance and music that were the heart of a masque.

A short course option from Sunday to Wednesday morning is available, offering an excellent grounding in dance or music, and an introduction to masque elements, concluding with a festive Jacobean revel on Tuesday evening.

The Courses

Delegates choose either the dance or the music route, spending the mornings in technique classes with their chosen tutor.

Afternoon sessions will feature an exciting range of workshops focusing on elements of the masque: music, song, rhetorical gesture and speech; antimasque (dances of character and action), torchbearers’ dances and main masque dances by courtiers. Wednesday afternoon will be free ‒ a chance to explore the beautiful grounds of the venue and the surrounding countryside and villages. Evening talks and activities will deepen understanding of masque performance.

During the first two days, all students will have the chance to explore elements of a Jacobean masque. Rehearsals specifically for The Lords’ Masque will take place during the final four days, culminating in the performance on Saturday night.

The Dance Courses

Morning classes are offered at three levels of experience, so that students can develop skill and understanding with their chosen tutor at their own ability level. The classes will develop technique and repertoire for the social revels of the masque, and a foundation for the invented dances. The repertoire will introduce the riches of Jacobean court dancing, drawing on English, Italian and French sources of the time.

Intermediate/Advanced Dance Class with Dr Anne Daye

For dancers experienced in late Renaissance dance, exploring Italian balletti and improvisation.

Anne is a leading researcher in the dance and performance of the Stuart masque, integrating deep understanding of Renaissance court dance with study of masque texts and related sources. Her teaching experience is extensive, and Anne has published major studies on Tudor and Stuart court masquing.

Elementary/Intermediate Dance Class with Hazel Dennison

For dancers wishing to build upon existing skills to obtain a greater range of dexterity and expression in the performance of Italian balletti.

Hazel draws upon a diverse practice of dance, drama and theatre studies through production, performance, research and conference. She teaches and choreographs summer schools, workshops and heritage programmes, and has co-produced the CD and booklet Ballare et Danzare, on fifteenth-century dance. She is currently working on a choreographic perspective of Domenico da Piacenza.

Basic Dance Class with Charlotte Ewart

For non-dancers and newcomers to Renaissance dance, a chance to learn the basics of early-seventeenth-century dancing, such as pavans, almains, courantes, galliards and lavoltas.

Charlotte is a teacher, dancer and researcher of historical dance particularly focusing on dance and movement in the medieval and Renaissance periods. Her dance MA investigated authenticity in recreating dances from the past. She is currently Associate Artist for the Historic Royal Palaces.

Afternoon sessions will focus on elements of the masque: music, song, rhetorical gesture and speech; antimasque (dances of character and action), torchbearers’ dances and main masque dances by courtiers.

During the first two days, all students will have the chance to explore elements of a Jacobean masque. Rehearsals specifically for The Lords’ Masque will take place during the final four days, culminating in the performance on Saturday night.

The Music Course with Tamsin Lewis

The original performance of The Lords’ Masque in 1613 was a spectacular musical event. The accounts for the masque include ‘42 musitians, 10 of ye kings violins and 2 that plaied to ye Antick Maske’. To reconstruct the masque with its songs, choruses, dances and incidental music by other composers, we are especially looking for string players (viol, Renaissance violin, lute, cittern, bandora, harp), a flute player and singers, but others will be welcome. We will have the use of a large music room for morning sessions; afternoon sessions will be integrated with masquing activities.

Tamsin studied violin at the Florence Conservatoire and has been playing for early dance for more than 20 years. A specialist in early modern English music, she directs the ensemble Passamezzo, and has written, arranged, directed and played music for many theatre productions, as well as publishing many music books.

Fees

• Full course: £575 (Sun 5th to Sun 12th August, depart after breakfast)
• Short course: £250 (Sun 5th to Wed 8th August, depart after breakfast)

Bursaries

HDS offers a number of full and part bursaries for appropriate candidates. Early application is advisable; apply by email to bursaries@historicaldance.org.uk by 6th January 2018. The HDS committee will also consider later applications received by 30th April 2018.

Further information and booking

• Leaflet with full details of location, accommodation and fees (pdf)
• Booking form (pdf) if booking by post or paying by cheque
• On-line booking form for payments by credit/debit card or PayPal

(Source http://historicaldance.org.uk/summerschool/year2018)