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| | HOASM: England Through 1635 |
 | | However, the main event in the history of music of this period was the growth of a body of music for the theatre which prepared the ground for the brief appearance of English opera. |
 | | The first half of the 16th century was the great period for the masque, in which courtiers and their ladies, and even the king and queen themselves, took part; it was almost the exact equivalent of the French court ballet. |
 | | Combining poetry, drama, scenic architecture, decor, music and dancing, its sumptuous spectacles enjoyed great success from the close of the 16th century. |
| www.hoasm.org /IVM/Englandthru1635.html (812 words) |
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