Mystery play
Medieval sacred drama with music on biblical subjects, first performed in churches, later in marketplaces.
What it means
The mystery play is a sacred drama of the Middle Ages that presents biblical subjects such as the Nativity, the Passion or the Last Judgement. Music was part of it: there was singing, instrumental accompaniment, and music for entrances and processions. The plays grew out of liturgical celebrations in which individual roles were assigned, and developed into extensive performances.
Musical use
The earliest forms are short antiphonal chants in church, for instance at Easter. Later the plays were performed in the vernacular and moved to marketplaces; citizens and guilds took over roles and staging. In England the York and Wakefield cycles are among the best known, in Germany the Easter and Passion plays. The Oberammergau Passion Play is a still-living successor tradition.
The mystery play should be distinguished from oratorio and opera, which are through-composed and arose later, and from the Easter play as a form devoted to the Resurrection.
Performance practice
When you sing or play music from mystery plays, picture the scene: simple, clear melodies should carry the text. Instrumental music too often accompanied entrances and exits, and so was rhythmic and distinct.