Claque

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Honoré Daumier, Bohémiens de Paris - Le claqueur, 1842

Claque is a term that refers to a group of people hired to attend a performance and to either applaud vigorously to create an illusion of genuine enthusiasm and support, or to disrupt the performance with derision, depending on the desires of the hirer. The practice of employing a claque is as old as the history of public performances itself, finding its roots in the theatres of ancient Greece and Rome, where playwrights would hire people to cheer or jeer in order to sway public opinion about their plays. Over the centuries, the use of claques became a well-established, albeit often criticized, part of the performing arts, especially in opera and theatre.

History

The modern concept of the claque originated in France during the 19th century, where it became an organized and professional practice. Managers of opera houses and theatres would hire a chef de claque (leader of the claque), who would then recruit and train an ensemble of applauders, weepers, laughers, and even hecklers. These groups were employed not just to influence audience reaction but also to guide it, ensuring that performances were met with the appropriate level of appreciation or disdain.

Function and Types

Claques served multiple functions, from guaranteeing applause for the performers to drowning out the voices of critics. Different members of a claque had specific roles:

• Applauders or battuers were responsible for clapping loudly at the end of an aria or scene.
• Laughers or rireurs were tasked with laughing loudly at comedies, encouraging the audience to join in.
• Weepers or pleureurs would cry during dramatic moments, enhancing the emotional atmosphere.
• Commis were hired to memorize the lyrics or lines of a play or opera and prompt the audience to join in applause at key moments.

Criticism and Decline

The use of claques has been widely criticized for being deceptive and undermining the genuine appreciation of art. Critics argue that it distorts the audience's perception and interferes with the authentic relationship between performers and their audience. Despite this criticism, the practice persisted well into the 20th century, particularly in Italy and France, before gradually declining due to changes in cultural attitudes towards authenticity and artistic integrity.

Legacy

Although the practice of employing a claque has largely faded away, its existence is a testament to the complex dynamics of performance art and audience interaction. It highlights the lengths to which performers and managers would go to ensure the success of their work, reflecting broader themes of perception, influence, and the value of art.

Claque Resources
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