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This single‑session course offers an engaging introduction to The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis), a remarkable medieval liturgical drama created in the 12th or early 13th century at the Cathedral School of Beauvais. Combining chant, drama, and ritual, the work brings to life the biblical story of Daniel through music of striking beauty and theatrical imagination. In this session, we explore the historical context of medieval liturgical drama, the structure and musical language of The Play of Daniel, and its lasting appeal for modern performers and audiences.
What will we cover?
• The origins of liturgical drama and the Beauvais manuscript tradition • The biblical narrative behind The Play of Daniel • Musical characteristics: chant style, modal language, dramatic structure • Performance practices in medieval religious drama • Modern revivals, interpretations, and recordings
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the historical and cultural context of The Play of Daniel • Identify key musical and dramatic features of the work • Recognise how medieval liturgical drama functioned within worship and community life • Appreciate the significance of The Play of Daniel in the wider history of early music
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge of medieval music or the ability to read music is required. A general interest in early music, sacred music, or medieval cultural history will be helpful, but beginners are warmly welcome. Listeners familiar with chant or early polyphony may particularly enjoy the (light) musical analysis offered. Translations of Latin texts will be provided.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Sessions will comprise a combination of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom. You will be encouraged to enjoy extra reading and listening after class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Edward teaches music history and theory at City lit. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque) and he completed a PhD in historical musicology at King's College London (2013) on the performance of medieval music. Outside of teaching, Edward is a regular contributor to Gramophone magazine and has lectured for Dartington International Summer School, London's Southbank Centre and The British Library. He has also worked as a researcher for BBC Proms and written for the journal Early Music (OUP). His essays are published in: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Historical Performance in Music, (Cambridge University Press); The Montpellier Codex: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music 16 (Boydell Press); Recomposing the Past: Representations of Early Music on Stage and Screen (Ashgate 2018); and 30-Second Classical Music (Ivy Press).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-works-the-play-of-daniel3034513Great works: The Play of Danielhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_works_the_play_of_daniel_-_md040a-1080.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Discover one of the most captivating musical dramas of the Middle Ages.</p>003034357Great works: The Play of Daniel3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_works_the_play_of_daniel_-_md040a-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-12-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allDec 2026Performing artsMD040A3939Great works: The Play of Daniel393939Edward Breengreat-works-the-play-of-daniel/md040a-2627<p>Discover one of the most captivating musical dramas of the Middle Ages.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-14 00:00:00<p>This single‑session course offers an engaging introduction to The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis), a remarkable medieval liturgical drama created in the 12th or early 13th century at the Cathedral School of Beauvais. Combining chant, drama, and ritual, the work brings to life the biblical story of Daniel through music of striking beauty and theatrical imagination. In this session, we explore the historical context of medieval liturgical drama, the structure and musical language of The Play of Daniel, and its lasting appeal for modern performers and audiences.</p><p>Discover one of the most captivating musical dramas of the Middle Ages.</p><p>• The origins of liturgical drama and the Beauvais manuscript tradition<br>• The biblical narrative behind The Play of Daniel<br>• Musical characteristics: chant style, modal language, dramatic structure<br>• Performance practices in medieval religious drama<br>• Modern revivals, interpretations, and recordings</p><p>• Understand the historical and cultural context of The Play of Daniel<br>• Identify key musical and dramatic features of the work<br>• Recognise how medieval liturgical drama functioned within worship and community life<br>• Appreciate the significance of The Play of Daniel in the wider history of early music</p><p>No prior knowledge of medieval music or the ability to read music is required. A general interest in early music, sacred music, or medieval cultural history will be helpful, but beginners are warmly welcome. Listeners familiar with chant or early polyphony may particularly enjoy the (light) musical analysis offered. Translations of Latin texts will be provided.</p>Sessions will comprise a combination of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.<br>You will be encouraged to enjoy extra reading and listening after class.You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.To find out more about music history classes <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.MusicMusic historyvirtual393939MD040ANONEMon14/12/2613:15 - 15:1513:1515:151 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward BreenBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-12-14T00:00:00+00:00Dec 2026Performing arts3939Great works: The Play of Danielgreat-works-the-play-of-daniel/md040a-2627<p>Discover one of the most captivating musical dramas of the Middle Ages.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-14 00:00:00<p>This single‑session course offers an engaging introduction to The Play of Daniel (Ludus Danielis), a remarkable medieval liturgical drama created in the 12th or early 13th century at the Cathedral School of Beauvais. Combining chant, drama, and ritual, the work brings to life the biblical story of Daniel through music of striking beauty and theatrical imagination. In this session, we explore the historical context of medieval liturgical drama, the structure and musical language of The Play of Daniel, and its lasting appeal for modern performers and audiences.</p><p>Discover one of the most captivating musical dramas of the Middle Ages.</p><p>• The origins of liturgical drama and the Beauvais manuscript tradition<br>• The biblical narrative behind The Play of Daniel<br>• Musical characteristics: chant style, modal language, dramatic structure<br>• Performance practices in medieval religious drama<br>• Modern revivals, interpretations, and recordings</p><p>• Understand the historical and cultural context of The Play of Daniel<br>• Identify key musical and dramatic features of the work<br>• Recognise how medieval liturgical drama functioned within worship and community life<br>• Appreciate the significance of The Play of Daniel in the wider history of early music</p><p>No prior knowledge of medieval music or the ability to read music is required. A general interest in early music, sacred music, or medieval cultural history will be helpful, but beginners are warmly welcome. Listeners familiar with chant or early polyphony may particularly enjoy the (light) musical analysis offered. Translations of Latin texts will be provided.</p>Sessions will comprise a combination of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.<br>You will be encouraged to enjoy extra reading and listening after class.You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.To find out more about music history classes <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
