Ballet royal de la Naissance de Vénus

Description

Gifted by King Louis XIV to his sister-in-law, Princess Henriette of England, Le Ballet royal de la naissance de Vénus was created in 1665, with the princess in the title role. This suite of twelve entries combining dance, music, and poetry narrates the birth of the goddess of love and youth. This grand spectacle serves the power of the king and attests to the magnificence of the court. It also demonstrates, through its great musical inventiveness, the culmination that Lully brings to the genre, from which he will draw to create the future tragédie en musique. It is complemented here by excerpts from Amours déguisés, Psyché, Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, and Le Carnaval, including the famous lament of the abandoned Armide, "Ah Rinaldo! è dove sei?", as well as a burlesque air from the schoolmaster-doctor Barbacola, portrayed by Lully himself on the day of its creation. Les Talens Lyriques and Christophe Rousset bring to life the beauty of the performances given at court, which will establish its reputation and that of the King as well.