Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

November 28, 1632 in Florence, Italy

Death

:

March 22, 1687 in Paris, France

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Jean-Baptiste Lully was a French composer who lived from 1632 to 1687. He was born in Florence, Italy, to a family of millers. His father, Lorenzo, was a miller who worked for the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Lully's mother, Caterina del Sera, was a miller's daughter. Lully was baptized Giovanni Battista Lulli, but he later changed his name to the French version, Jean-Baptiste Lully. Lully's early life was marked by tragedy. When he was just six years old, his father died. His mother remarried, but her new husband was abusive to Lully. When Lully was just 14 years old, he ran away from home and joined a group of street performers. He played the guitar and sang for money. In 1652, Lully was discovered by Roger de Lorraine, the Duke of Guise. The Duke was impressed by Lully's musical talent and took him under his wing. Lully became a member of the Duke's court and began to study music in earnest. He learned to play the violin, the guitar, and the harpsichord. He also studied composition with the Italian composer Francesco Cavalli. In 1653, Lully moved to Paris, where he became a member of the court of King Louis XIV. He quickly became a favorite of the King, who was an avid music lover. Lully composed music for the King's court and for the royal ballets. He also became the director of the King's music. Lully's music was characterized by its grandeur and its use of the French style. He was known for his use of the French overture, which was a musical form that was popular in France at the time. Lully also used a lot of dance music in his compositions, which was another hallmark of the French style. Lully's most famous works are his operas. He composed 14 operas in total, including "Armide," "Atys," and "Phaëton." His operas were known for their elaborate sets and costumes, as well as their use of dance. Lully was also known for his collaborations with the playwright Molière. Together, they created several works, including "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" and "Les Amants Magnifiques." Lully's music was not without controversy, however. He was known for his temper and his arrogance, and he often clashed with other musicians and composers. He also had a reputation for being a womanizer, and he was rumored to have had affairs with several of the King's mistresses. In 1687, Lully suffered a tragic accident that would ultimately lead to his death. During a performance of his opera "Armide," Lully was conducting the orchestra with a long staff. He accidentally struck his foot with the staff, causing a wound that became infected. Despite attempts to treat the infection, Lully died just a few weeks later. Despite his controversial reputation, Lully's music had a lasting impact on the world of classical music. His use of the French style and his incorporation of dance music into his compositions helped to shape the development of opera and ballet. His operas continue to be performed today, and his legacy as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era remains secure.

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