Knowra Académie Royale de Musique Académie Royale de Musique The royal institution founded in 1669 to present opera in Paris, later known as the Paris Opéra. It became France’s principal opera company and shaped the development of French opera.
Pierre Perrin : A French poet and librettist whose 1669 royal privilege established a Parisian opera institution. His privilege from Louis XIV founded the institution in 1669.
Royal privilege : A legal grant from a monarch conferring exclusive rights or authority on an individual or institution. Exclusive performance rights shaped who could present opera in Paris.
Cadmus et Hermione : An opera by Jean-Baptiste Lully and Philippe Quinault, first performed in Paris in 1673. Often identified as the first tragédie en musique produced by the institution.
Tragédie en musique : A French opera genre combining music, poetry, dance, and theatrical spectacle, developed in the late seventeenth century. The company’s early repertory established this genre as a major French stage form.
Jean-Baptiste Lully : An Italian-born French composer who dominated court music under Louis XIV and shaped French opera. His control of the company from 1672 set its repertory and musical style.
Paris Opéra ballet : The dance division of the Paris Opéra, with a history closely tied to French ballet. Ballet was integrated into the company’s theatrical productions and training.
Atys : A tragédie en musique by Jean-Baptiste Lully and Philippe Quinault, first performed in 1676. Its production exemplified the courtly opera style associated with Lully’s company.
Opéra-ballet : A French stage genre combining singing, dance, and loosely connected dramatic episodes. The company presented works that made this hybrid form a distinctive part of French opera.
Louis XIV : King of France from 1643 to 1715, whose patronage centralized court arts and music. His royal authority licensed and supported the Paris opera institution.
Paris Opéra Orchestra : The resident orchestra of the Paris Opéra, accompanying opera and ballet productions. Its musicians provided the instrumental foundation for the company’s performances.
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