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[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Schapiro_Miriam-Master_of_Ceremonies.jpg|right|frame]]

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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933 1933]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933 1933]

==Definition==

==Definition==

* : master of [[ceremonies]]

* : master of [[ceremonies]]

A '''master of ceremonies''' (MC or '''emcee'''), or ''compère'', is the official [[host]] of a staged [[event]] or similar [[performance]]. An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the [[audience]], and generally keeps the event moving. An MC may also tell [[jokes]] or [[anecdotes]]. The MC sometimes also acts as the [[protocol]] officer during an official [[state]] function. In hip hop music, [[rock music]] and electronic dance music, an MC is a music artist and/or performer who usually creates and performs vocals for his/her own original material.  

A '''master of ceremonies''' (MC or '''emcee'''), or ''compère'', is the official [[host]] of a staged [[event]] or similar [[performance]]. An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the [[audience]], and generally keeps the event moving. An MC may also tell [[jokes]] or [[anecdotes]]. The MC sometimes also acts as the [[protocol]] officer during an official [[state]] function. In hip hop music, [[rock music]] and electronic dance music, an MC is a music artist and/or performer who usually creates and performs vocals for his/her own original material.  

The term originates from the Catholic Church. The Master of ceremonies is an official of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Court Papal Court] responsible for the proper and smooth conduct of the elegant and elaborate [[rituals]] involving the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope Pope] and the sacred [[liturgy]]. He may also be an official involved in the proper conduct of [[protocols]] and ceremonials involving the Roman Pontiff, the Papal Court, and other dignitaries and potentates. Examples of official [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_book liturgical books] prescribing the rules and regulations of liturgical celebrations are ''Cæremoniale Romanum'' and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A6remoniale_Episcoporum ''Cæremoniale Episcoporum''].

The term originates from the Catholic Church. The Master of ceremonies is an official of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Court Papal Court] responsible for the proper and smooth conduct of the elegant and elaborate [[rituals]] involving the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope Pope] and the sacred [[liturgy]]. He may also be an official involved in the proper conduct of [[protocols]] and ceremonials involving the Roman Pontiff, the Papal Court, and other dignitaries and potentates. Examples of official [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_book liturgical books] prescribing the rules and regulations of liturgical celebrations are ''Cæremoniale Romanum'' and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A6remoniale_Episcoporum ''Cæremoniale Episcoporum''].

The office of the Master of Ceremonies itself is very old. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the most ancient ceremonials and [[rituals]] of the Catholic Church are the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordines_Romani Ordines Romani]. Names of Masters of Ceremonies are known since the late Middle Ages (15th century) and the [[Renaissance]] (16th century). However, copies of [[books]] prescribing the forms of [[rituals]], rites and customs of pontifical ceremonies are known to have been given to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martel Charles Martel] in the 8th century. The rules and rituals themselves are known to have been compiled or written by the pontifical masters of ceremonies whose contents date back to the time of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gelasius_I Pope Gelasius] I (492–496) with modifications and additions made by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_the_Great Pope Gregory the Great] (590–604). It is reasonable to assume that the ceremonials themselves pre-date Gelasius I and the origins of the Master of Ceremonies may have developed from the time [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great Emperor Constantine the Great] gave the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateran_Palace Lateran Palace] to the popes (324) or from the time [[Christianity]] became the official religion of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire Roman Empire] (380), and was influenced no doubt by [[imperial]] [[practices]], customs and norms. However, documentary [[evidence]] from the late Roman period are scarce or lost. The ceremonies and practices of the [[Byzantine]] emperors are also known to have influenced the papal court. The accumulation of elaboration and complication since the Renaissance and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque Baroque] eras were carried well into the 20th century until some of the ceremonies (i.e. the court, the rituals and norms) were simplified or completely eliminated by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Paul_VI Pope Paul VI] in the 1970s after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_II Vatican II]; much of the Renaissance pomp and ceremony has been completely [[abandoned]] by the popes of the modern era.

The office of the Master of Ceremonies itself is very old. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the most ancient ceremonials and [[rituals]] of the Catholic Church are the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordines_Romani Ordines Romani]. Names of Masters of Ceremonies are known since the late Middle Ages (15th century) and the [[Renaissance]] (16th century). However, copies of [[books]] prescribing the forms of [[rituals]], rites and customs of pontifical ceremonies are known to have been given to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martel Charles Martel] in the 8th century. The rules and rituals themselves are known to have been compiled or written by the pontifical masters of ceremonies whose contents date back to the time of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gelasius_I Pope Gelasius] I (492–496) with modifications and additions made by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_the_Great Pope Gregory the Great] (590–604). It is reasonable to assume that the ceremonials themselves pre-date Gelasius I and the origins of the Master of Ceremonies may have developed from the time [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great Emperor Constantine the Great] gave the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateran_Palace Lateran Palace] to the popes (324) or from the time [[Christianity]] became the official religion of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire Roman Empire] (380), and was influenced no doubt by [[imperial]] [[practices]], customs and norms. However, documentary [[evidence]] from the late Roman period are scarce or lost. The ceremonies and practices of the [[Byzantine]] emperors are also known to have influenced the papal court. The accumulation of elaboration and complication since the Renaissance and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque Baroque] eras were carried well into the 20th century until some of the ceremonies (i.e. the court, the rituals and norms) were simplified or completely eliminated by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Paul_VI Pope Paul VI] in the 1970s after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_II Vatican II]; much of the Renaissance pomp and ceremony has been completely [[abandoned]] by the popes of the modern era.

[[Category: The Arts]]

[[Category: The Arts]]