Composed on 1686 as part of the festivities organised by the Duc de Vendôme in honour of the Grand Dauphin, during the latter's visit to his estate at the Château d'Anet in September of that year, Acis et Galatée is Lully's last complete opera. His faithful librettist Quinault having retired from writing for the stage, he collaborated this time with the poet Campistron on a work that tells the story of the love between the sea-nymph Galatea and the shepherd Acis - a love threatened by the violence of the jealous cyclops Polyphemus. This opera, an undoubted dramatic success, gives the orchestra an important part, expressively evoking, for example, the giant's cries of anger, the terror of the chorus, and the lovers' hasty flight in Act III. It includes some magnificent pieces, including the final passacaille, as well as inventive treasures, such as duet for hautes-contre (high tenors) "Ah! Je succombe au tourment qui m'accable", or the burlesque march that accompanies the entry of Polyphemus and his fellow cyclopes, conveying their uncouthness. But the loveliest pieces in the score are for Galatea: "Enfin, j'ai dissipé la crainte", for instance, or "Que ne puis-je expirer après ce coup funeste?". Lully died in March 1687, a few months after the première, leaving Achille et Polyxène unfinished.
31 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Second. Scène 6: Marche. "Qu'à L'envi Chacun Se Presse"
32 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Second. Scène 6: Second Air [Pour L']Entrée Des Cyclopes
33 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Second. Scène 6: "Je Suis Content de Votre Zèle" Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Second. Scène 7: "Chaque Moment Me Tue". Entracte (Reprise Du Second Air [Pour L']Entrée Des Cyclopes)
34 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 1:Symphonie. "Vous Qui Dans Ces Lieux Solitaires"
35 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scènes 2, 3, 4: "Les Voici Ces Tendres Amants". "Que Vois-Je?". "Fuyons Sa Violence Extrême"
38 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 6: Prélude "Il Est Mort, L'insolent !"
39 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 7: Prélude "Enfin, J'ai Dissipé la Crainte"
40 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 8: Prélude "Je Sors de Mes Grottes Profondes"
41 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 9: Prélude "Que Votre Sang Se Change"
42 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 9: Air
43 Lully: Acis Et Galatée, LWV 73 Acte Troisième. Scène 9: Passacaille "Sous Ses Lois L'amour Veut Qu'on Jouisse"
Composed on 1686 as part of the festivities organised by the Duc de Vendôme in honour of the Grand Dauphin, during the latter's visit to his estate at the Château d'Anet in September of that year, Acis et Galatée is Lully's last complete opera. His faithful librettist Quinault having retired from writing for the stage, he collaborated this time with the poet Campistron on a work that tells the story of the love between the sea-nymph Galatea and the shepherd Acis - a love threatened by the violence of the jealous cyclops Polyphemus. This opera, an undoubted dramatic success, gives the orchestra an important part, expressively evoking, for example, the giant's cries of anger, the terror of the chorus, and the lovers' hasty flight in Act III. It includes some magnificent pieces, including the final passacaille, as well as inventive treasures, such as duet for hautes-contre (high tenors) "Ah! Je succombe au tourment qui m'accable", or the burlesque march that accompanies the entry of Polyphemus and his fellow cyclopes, conveying their uncouthness. But the loveliest pieces in the score are for Galatea: "Enfin, j'ai dissipé la crainte", for instance, or "Que ne puis-je expirer après ce coup funeste?". Lully died in March 1687, a few months after the première, leaving Achille et Polyxène unfinished.
