'Performing with square and compass': 19th-­century Belgian masonic music and ritual as performed and studied through re-­enactment.

This research projects aims to study nineteenth-century Belgian masonic music, in close relation with the rituals the compositions are meant to accompany. In this research, for the first time the focus is on the musical experience in an important organisation like that of the Freemasons, and also for the first time, the method of re-‐enactment is used to really capture the performative aspect of the musical performances and the experience of the masonic ritual. Through the creative method of re-enactment, which is also an important part of the artistic output of this project, not only the literal 'text' of this music and the corresponding ritual is read, but also the 'action', which can lead to new insights into the masonic music scene. In this manner, the creative capacities of staged performances, based on thorough historical research, are used to gain deeper insight into the use and the experience of nineteenth-century ritual masonic music.

Keywords:MUSIC, 19TH CENTURY

Disciplines:History, Art studies and sciences

Project type:Collaboration project