Thétis et Pélée

Thétis et Pélée was the first work produced by the Royal Academy of Music under the direction of Lully’s son-in-law, Francine. It was a lyric tragedy in five acts and a prologue for which Colasse composed the score and Fontenelle did the libretto. Staged initially in 1689, its prologue was almost exclusively an ornate laudium of the dauphin. La Victoire announces her intention of crowning the young hero with success, and Le Soleil reveals his plans to light up his triumphs. This brief…