PLAY OF DANIEL

The name of twoliturgical dramas. The earlier (12th century) has no music with its text and survives in a manuscript with the name Hilarius.

The later, accompanied by over 50 melodies that appear nowhere else, was composed by students of Beauvais in the 13th century. Concluding with thehymnNuntium vobis fero, the single item identified with traditional liturgy, the Play of Daniel is actually a Christmas piece, using the Old Testament prophet of Daniel to prefigure Christ. The play contains a large number ofconductus. The play has 15 separate roles and requires about 45 minutes to sing.