Lully: Phaeton

Following on the success of their recording of Lully's Bellerophon, Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques present Phaeton, the eighth tragedie lyrique by Jean-Baptiste Lully and his faithful librettist, Philippe Quinault. It is truly one of their most remarkable creations. First performed in 1683, it proved so popular that it was referred to as the ''opera of the people.'' It portrays the story of a young man s temerity in wishing to drive the chariot of his father, the sun god, and the son's inevitable downfall. It both presents a moral lesson and also served the image of the king. Just as Jupiter restores order in the opera, Louis XIV brought peace to Europe, promising his people a Golden Age.