Acis et Galatée

Unlike most of his operas, which are designated tragédies en musique, Lully called this work a pastorale-héroïque, because it was on a pastoral theme and had only three acts (plus a prologue) compared to the usual five.

Lully did not work with his usual librettist Philippe Quinault, although the two men collaborated on Armide, which premiered the same year as Acis et Galatée.

The duke considered giving the commission to Racine, but it went instead to his protege Jean Galbert de Campistron.

It was revived multiple times before the French Revolution and Madame de Pompadour appeared in one production.

Cyril Auvity (Acis/Apollon), Ambroisine Bré (Galatée/Diane), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Polyphème), Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset.