LULLY, Jean Baptiste 1632-1687

Bellerophon. Tragedie. Mis en musique, par Monsieur de Lully Sur-Intendant de la Musique du Roy. [LWV 57]. [Full score]

Paris: Christophe Ballard, seul Imprimeur du Roy pour la Musique, ruë S. Iean de Beauvais, au Mont de Parnasse Et se vend à l'Entrée de la Porte de l'Academie Royale de Musique, au Palais Royal, ruë S. Honoré. ... Avec Privilege de Sa Majesté, 1679.

Folio. Full contemporary dark brown mottled calf with raised bands on spine in decorative compartments gilt, marbled edges and endpapers. 1f. (early manuscript index), 1f. (blank), 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (dedication), 308, [i] (blank) pp. on 154 foliated leaves. Occasional woodcut head- and tailpieces. Typeset throughout, with music in diamond-head notation. Slightly worn, browned, and stained.

Elaborate woodcut device to title incorporating horticultural and architectural motifs with central image within oval border depicting allegorical personifications of Fortune and Virtue with "Virtuti Fortuna Cedit" (Fortune Yields to Virtue) at Virtue's head with cherubs playing lute and viol and Orpheus with lyre; a satyr playing a panpipe flanks the central image, with two additional cherubs displaying a short musical phrase above.

With early ownership signature ("de Reynauld") to lower inner corner of title and first page of music, in all likelihood Antoine-François de Reynauld, 1682-1766, of the l'Académie des Sciences et Belles-Lettres.

First Edition. Schneider p. 315. Sonneck Dramatic Music p. 99. Lesure p. 405. BUC p. 634. Hirsch II, 535. RISM L2974.

Bellerophon was a favorite subject for 17th and 18th century libretti. Lully set his work for the Paris Opéra to a libretto by T. Corneille and Fontenelle after Hesiod's Theogeny; it was first performed there on 31 January 1679. "Here the various magical incantations and other supernatural events provide an excuse for the extensive use of the chorus coupled with dramatic symphonies." Lois Rosow and Marita P. McClymonds in Grove Music Online

"From Bellérophon (1679) onwards [Lully] ... adopted the Italian practice of using the string ensemble to provide greater density at certain dramatic moments. At the same time he also developed this practice in various airs." Jérôme de La Gorce in Grove Music Online

The opera is considered one of Lully's finest and most successful works; it was initially performed continuously for 10 months.

Bound with:
LULLY
Idylle sur la Paix, avec l'Eglogue de Versailles, et Plusieurs Pieces de Symphonie. [LWV 68]. Paris: Christophe Ballard, 1685. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (dedication), 140, [i] (blank) pp., 1f. (recto index in early manuscript, verso blank). With woodcut device to title as above. Typeset throughout, with music in diamond-head notation. Libretto by Jean Racine (1639-1699).

With Lully's control paraph to final page of music and monogrammatic handstamp to foot of page 1. Occasional markings in manuscript.

First Edition. Schneider p. 449. Sonneck Dramatic Music p. 99. Lesure p. 406. BUC p. 634. Hirsch II, 540. RISM L3044.

The Idylle Sur La Paix and Eglogue de Versailles were site-specific entertainments designed to complement the palace and garden of Versailles, with music designated for specific parts of the estate, including the Groves and Orangery. The libretto is inspired by Classical poetic models, including Virgil's Eclogues. The dances at the end of the printed edition include a menuet, passepied, and chaconne pour Madame la Princesse de Conty.

Binding somewhat worn, rubbed, and bumped; repair to lower outer corner of upper; endpapers worn.

Two attractive lifetime first editions, documenting the composer's collaboration with Jean Racine, one of the most celebrated writers of his time, and the vibrant bespoke musical entertainments created for the iconic palace of Versailles during its heyday under Louis XIV, the Sun King.

Item #39587

Price: $10,000.00  other currencies