The lyric tragedies of Lully, based for the greater part on texts by Quinault, constitute without a doubt the major contribution of the composer. Using subjects from Greek mythology, novels of chivalry, the “tragedy set to music” of Lully can be considered as the masterly synthesis of the varied elements proper to the amusement of the court. Associating several musical structures, from the tragedies of Racine to courtly ballets, as well as comic and tragic ballets, Lully managed to create an astounding dramatic entity, forming a total work of art. He was brilliantly successful.

Main study topics

• Work on the major monologues and recitatives: how to interpret and express the passions which move the heroes and advance the action. According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the recitative is "declamation in music, in which the musician should imitate, as much as possible, the inflections of the voice of the declaimer." (Dictionary of Music, 1768).
  

• Group work on duets, trios and quartets.

• Work on the bass continuo.

Repertory

The lyric tragedies of Lully : Cadmus et Hermione, Alceste, Thésée, Persée, Roland, Amadis, ...

Modalities

Wednesday, 24th, mai
10AM : welcome
10:30 - 13:00 - Conference Jean Duron
14:30 - 18:00 - Group and individual lessons

Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th mai.
10AM -13AM : individual lessons
14:30-17:30 : group lessons

Sunday, 28th, mai
10:00 AM -13:00 PM : individual lessons
14:30 -17:30 : Group lessons
17:30 -18:30 : bilan

Tuition/fees

250 euros (tuition and lunches)
220 euros for participants in the European Baroque Academy (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006)

Possibility of lodgings in Ambronay (rooms for 4 or 6 persons): 135 euros (evening meals and breakfasts included). For more details

Arrival of participants: Tuesday, 23th (evening)
or Wednesday, 24th (before 10A.M.).

Departure Sunday, 28rd (evening) or Monday morning, 29th (before noon).