Composer

:

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1675

Publication Date

:

1688

First Performance

:

Jan 15, 1675

Average_duration

:

88:28

Movement_count

:

80

Movement ....

Thésée is an opera composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully with a libretto by Philippe Quinault. It was first performed at the court of Louis XIV in 1675. The opera is based on the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. The plot of Thésée revolves around the hero Theseus, who travels to Crete to slay the Minotaur, a monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull. Theseus is aided in his quest by the princess Ariadne, who gives him a ball of thread to help him find his way out of the labyrinth where the Minotaur is kept. Theseus successfully defeats the Minotaur and returns to Athens, where he is hailed as a hero. However, he soon finds himself embroiled in a love triangle with the queen of the Amazons and the princess Phèdre, who is married to his friend Hippolyte. The opera ends with Theseus choosing Phèdre and Hippolyte committing suicide out of despair. Thésée is composed in five acts and features a variety of musical styles, including recitative, arias, and choruses. The opera is notable for its use of dance, which was a hallmark of Lully's style. The score includes several elaborate ballets, including a grand divertissement in Act IV that features a procession of gods and goddesses. The premiere of Thésée was a lavish affair, with elaborate sets and costumes designed by Carlo Vigarani and Jean Bérain. The opera was a great success and helped to establish Lully as one of the leading composers of his time. Thésée was performed regularly throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, but fell out of favor in the 19th century. It has since been revived and is now considered one of Lully's most important works. Thésée is characterized by its grandeur and spectacle, as well as its intricate musical and choreographic structures. The opera reflects the ideals of the French court under Louis XIV, with its emphasis on order, hierarchy, and classical mythology. At the same time, Thésée also explores themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal, making it a complex and emotionally resonant work.

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