Masque vs. Opera — What's the Difference?

The masque was a form of festive courtly entertainment that flourished in 16th- and early 17th-century Europe, though it was developed earlier in Italy, in forms including the intermedio (a public version of the masque was the pageant). A 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.

Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers, but is distinct from musical theatre. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet.

A dramatic entertainment, usually performed by masked players representing mythological or allegorical figures, that was popular in England in the 1500s and early 1600s.

A theatrical presentation in which a dramatic performance is set to music.

A dramatic verse composition written for such an entertainment.

The score of such a work.

See masquerade.

A theater designed primarily for operas.

A dramatic performance, often performed at court as a royal entertainment, consisting of dancing, dialogue, pantomime and song.

A plural of opus.

Words and music written for a masque.

A creative work, especially a musical composition numbered to designate the order of a composer's works.

A masquerade.

(music) A theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.

Archaic form of mask

(music) The score for such a work.

A facial mask.

A building designed for the performance of such works; an opera house.

Archaic form of mask

A company dedicated to performing such works.

A mask; a masquerade.

(by extension) Any showy, melodramatic or unrealistic production resembling an opera.

A party of guests wearing costumes and masks

Plural of opus; a collection of work.

A drama, either tragic or comic, of which music forms an essential part; a drama wholly or mostly sung, consisting of recitative, arias, choruses, duets, trios, etc., with orchestral accompaniment, preludes, and interludes, together with appropriate costumes, scenery, and action; a lyric drama.

The score of a musical drama, either written or in print; a play set to music.

The house where operas are exhibited.

A drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

Theater where opera is performed