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The genie Oroès desires Céphise, who loves Acante. The fairy Zirphile binds the lovers through a magic ring so each feels the other’s suffering, forcing Oroès to keep Acante alive. The couple seek the oracle’s help and try to restore harmony among other lovers, but Oroès turns against them again. Zirphile arrives as they are about to die and brings news of a royal birth, which prompts general celebration.
The old poet Anacreon pretends he will marry his protégée Chloë, who loves the young Bathylle. He eventually reveals that he planned to unite the two lovers all along.
After Castor is killed in battle, his beloved Télaïre asks Pollux to persuade Jupiter to restore him. Jupiter says Pollux must take Castor’s place in the underworld, and Pollux accepts the sacrifice. Castor returns for one day, but Jupiter ultimately grants both brothers immortality, and the twins become the constellation Gemini.
Shepherd Daphnis and shepherdess Eglé believe they are only friends until Cupid reveals that they are in love with each other.
Dardanus, at war with King Teucer, falls in love with Teucer’s daughter Iphise, who is promised to Anténor. The magician Isménor enables the lovers to meet. After Dardanus is captured, Venus rescues him and sends him to fight a monster attacking the coast. Dardanus saves Anténor from the creature, and Teucer agrees to peace and the marriage.
Hippolyte and Aricie love each other, but Aricie is held captive by Theseus and forbidden to marry. When Theseus journeys to the Underworld, Phaedra reveals her desire for her stepson Hippolyte, who rejects her. On his unexpected return, Theseus believes Phaedra’s false accusation and asks Neptune to punish Hippolyte. A sea monster appears to kill him, and Phaedra dies by suicide. Diana later reveals Hippolyte alive and reunites him with Aricie, while Theseus is left unable to see his son again.
Jupiter plans to woo the nymph Io disguised as shepherd Hylas, while Apollo courts her as Philemon. Io prefers Hylas but pities Philemon; when Jupiter disperses a storm, she realizes he is a god, and they declare their love. In the next scene La Folie announces that Apollo has abandoned Parnassus and she has stolen his lyre; the opera then breaks off.
Shepherds Zélide and Myrtil each have a magic garland that remains fresh while they are faithful to each other. When Myrtil falls for Amaryllis, his garland withers. He places it at Cupid’s altar, hoping it will be restored. Zélide switches his garland with her own, so Myrtil believes the god has revived it, while hers appears wilted. He refuses to believe she was unfaithful, and both garlands are restored.
Egyptian shepherds celebrate a peaceful land and make offerings to Jupiter. After a storm frightens them, the high priest assures them the god is pleased. Jupiter descends and announces the birth of the hero Osiris, promising peace; the priests and shepherds celebrate, and Cupid remains to rule the earth.
Constance, Princess of Navarre, escapes captivity in disguise and finds refuge with Don Morillo. His daughter Sanchette loves Alamir, but Alamir falls in love with Constance. Alamir protects Constance from the Castilian king, then returns from battle and reveals he is the Duke of Foix, allowing him to marry her. Three acts end with musical divertissements.
Don Pedro, king of Castile, has taken Constance, princess of Navarre, captive. She escapes in disguise and finds refuge with Don Morillo, where she meets Alamir, who falls in love with her. After Alamir’s army defeats the Castilians, he reveals he is the Duke of Foix, clearing the way for his marriage to Constance.
After Apollo defeats Envy’s attack on the Temple of Glory, the opera presents three rulers tested by its standards. Bélus learns that kings should bring happiness rather than wage war; Bacchus is denied entry because fame won through debauchery is not lasting glory. Trajan returns victorious from Armenia but frees the conquered kings and asks that the Temple of Glory become a Temple of Happiness for all.
Hébé and Cupid redirect the pursuit of love from Europe to distant lands. In four entrées, Émilie and Valère reunite through Osman’s generosity; the Inca princess Phani chooses Carlos over the priest Huascar; Persian lovers resolve their disguises and suspicions; and Zima chooses Native American Adario over two European suitors. The Flowers entrée exists in two versions and was later omitted from Rameau’s 1761 form.
Argie loves the paladin Atis, but her guardian Anselme wants to marry her and holds her captive with her friend Nérine. Atis and the paladins disguise themselves to rescue Argie, while Nérine repeatedly distracts jailor Orcan. Fairy Manto transforms the castle and helps expose Anselme’s infidelity; he admits defeat, and Argie and Atis reunite.
A projected multi-act opéra-ballet planned around Anacreon; manuscript evidence links it to the one-act works Nélée et Myrthis, La naissance d’Osiris and Anacréon.
A pastoral drama by Alexis Piron, performed with incidental music by Rameau for its final divertissement and choreography by Antoine-François Dangeville.
The prologue celebrates the French victory at Fontenoy. The first entrée depicts Hercules marrying Hebe; the second tells how Seleucus gives up Stratonice when he learns that his son Antiochus loves her. In the third, Argélie’s love redeems Zimès from the evil fairy Alcina.
Alphonse, king of Castile, has imprisoned Fatime, princess of Granada, after killing her father. Her confidante Isbé persuades her that Alphonse’s son Ramire may be less cruel. Warriors and fortune-tellers bring hope, and Ramire finally appears and pledges himself to Fatime, who accepts his love.
After Cupid and Hymen reconcile in the prologue, Osiris wins the Amazon queen Orthésie through peaceful gifts of dance and art. Canopus saves Memphis from sacrifice, reveals himself to her, and grants mercy to the people. In the final entrée, Aruéris establishes an arts festival where Orie wins the singing contest and becomes his bride.
In the prologue, Hébé escapes the unwanted attention of Momus and joins celebrations of the arts. The three entrées tell of Sappho and Alcaeus reunited through an allegorical play, Tyrtaeus winning Iphise through victory in battle, and shepherdess Eglé choosing Mercury as her husband.
During the coronation of Sybaris’s new queen, Hersilide, the neighbouring city of Croton invades. Hersilide welcomes the attackers with flowers, and their general Astole falls in love with her. He agrees to let Sybaris keep its laws and acknowledges Cupid’s power; the two peoples celebrate together.
The original prologue celebrates peace after the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. In La lyre enchantée, Urania falls under a spell of love but Linus remains devoted to Parthenope; in Adonis, Cupid helps Venus win Adonis while Diana discovers her own love for Endymion. A 1757 revision removed the prologue, revised these entrées, and added Anacréon, in which a poet chooses love alongside Bacchus rather than excluding it.
Queen Cléonice and Linus, son of Apollo, love each other. Rejected suitor Gélanor and his sister Théano abduct Linus and imprison the queen. Linus escapes and reunites with Cléonice. After a tempest and shipwreck, Thetis saves the lovers, and Apollo unites them in marriage.
Shepherd Lisis laments his unrequited love for Délie, who considers love fleeting and offers him only friendship. Lisis pretends to love another shepherdess, Alcyone, provoking Délie’s jealousy. He arranges a festival in Alcyone’s honor, and Délie finally admits her love for him.
Athlete Nélée, preparing to celebrate victory at the Argive Games, says he is tired of the poet Myrthis’s indifference and claims to love Corinne. Myrthis reveals her jealousy, but when asked to choose a prize, Nélée names her, explaining he only pretended to love Corinne to punish her pride. The work ends with a celebration.
Neptune disguises himself as a mortal to win the nymph Naïs at the Isthmian Games. Her other suitors, Télénus and Astérion, misread a prophecy and plan to sacrifice their rival, but Neptune overwhelms them with waves. He reveals his identity, takes Naïs to his underwater palace, and transforms her into a goddess.
A projected five-act tragédie en musique combining the stories of Adam and Eve with the myths of Prometheus and Pandora.
The sculptor Pigmalion falls in love with the statue he has made and asks Venus to bring it to life, spurning his girlfriend Céphise. The statue animates, sings, and dances; Cupid praises Pigmalion’s artistry and finds another lover for Céphise. The work ends with celebrations of love.
To cure Juno’s jealousy, the gods arrange for Jupiter to pretend to love Platée, an ugly marsh nymph who believes everyone is attracted to her. Jupiter disguises himself as animals before appearing as a god, and a mock wedding is arranged. Juno discovers the ruse and realizes her jealousy was misplaced; the gods return to heaven and the humiliated Platée dives back into her pond.
Samson frees the Israelites and defeats the Philistines, but Delilah seduces him and learns that his strength lies in his hair. Captured and blinded, Samson is brought to the Philistine temple. He calls on God and brings down its columns, killing himself and his enemies.
An opera pasticcio combining Baroque music by several composers with a new text by Jeremy Sams. It brings together characters from Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, including Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, Helena, Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander.
Genie Zaïs disguises himself as a shepherd to win the love of shepherdess Zélide. Through a series of ordeals, he shows that he is willing to give up his magic for her. Oromasès, king of the genies, grants Zélide immortality so that they can marry.
Zoroastre, devoted to Amélite, is exiled by the sorcerer Abramane, who seeks the throne with Erinice. The good spirit Oromasès initiates Zoroastre, who returns to free Amélite and defeat the forces of evil. Abramane kidnaps her, but Zoroastre calls on the gods, who destroy the sorcerer and his followers; Zoroastre and Amélite are crowned rulers of Bactria.
Zephyrus hides among the nymphs of Diana and woos Chloris, making flowers appear beneath her feet. He asks Cupid to release the nymphs from their vows of chastity. Diana confesses her love for Endymion and frees them; Zephyrus and Chloris declare their love, and he transforms her into Flora.
The genie Oroès desires Céphise, who loves Acante. The fairy Zirphile binds the lovers through a magic ring so each feels the other’s suffering, forcing Oroès to keep Acante alive. The couple seek the oracle’s help and try to restore harmony among other lovers, but Oroès turns against them again. Zirphile arrives as they are about to die and brings news of a royal birth, which prompts general celebration.
The old poet Anacreon pretends he will marry his protégée Chloë, who loves the young Bathylle. He eventually reveals that he planned to unite the two lovers all along.
After Castor is killed in battle, his beloved Télaïre asks Pollux to persuade Jupiter to restore him. Jupiter says Pollux must take Castor’s place in the underworld, and Pollux accepts the sacrifice. Castor returns for one day, but Jupiter ultimately grants both brothers immortality, and the twins become the constellation Gemini.
Shepherd Daphnis and shepherdess Eglé believe they are only friends until Cupid reveals that they are in love with each other.
Dardanus, at war with King Teucer, falls in love with Teucer’s daughter Iphise, who is promised to Anténor. The magician Isménor enables the lovers to meet. After Dardanus is captured, Venus rescues him and sends him to fight a monster attacking the coast. Dardanus saves Anténor from the creature, and Teucer agrees to peace and the marriage.
Hippolyte and Aricie love each other, but Aricie is held captive by Theseus and forbidden to marry. When Theseus journeys to the Underworld, Phaedra reveals her desire for her stepson Hippolyte, who rejects her. On his unexpected return, Theseus believes Phaedra’s false accusation and asks Neptune to punish Hippolyte. A sea monster appears to kill him, and Phaedra dies by suicide. Diana later reveals Hippolyte alive and reunites him with Aricie, while Theseus is left unable to see his son again.
Jupiter plans to woo the nymph Io disguised as shepherd Hylas, while Apollo courts her as Philemon. Io prefers Hylas but pities Philemon; when Jupiter disperses a storm, she realizes he is a god, and they declare their love. In the next scene La Folie announces that Apollo has abandoned Parnassus and she has stolen his lyre; the opera then breaks off.
Shepherds Zélide and Myrtil each have a magic garland that remains fresh while they are faithful to each other. When Myrtil falls for Amaryllis, his garland withers. He places it at Cupid’s altar, hoping it will be restored. Zélide switches his garland with her own, so Myrtil believes the god has revived it, while hers appears wilted. He refuses to believe she was unfaithful, and both garlands are restored.
Egyptian shepherds celebrate a peaceful land and make offerings to Jupiter. After a storm frightens them, the high priest assures them the god is pleased. Jupiter descends and announces the birth of the hero Osiris, promising peace; the priests and shepherds celebrate, and Cupid remains to rule the earth.
Constance, Princess of Navarre, escapes captivity in disguise and finds refuge with Don Morillo. His daughter Sanchette loves Alamir, but Alamir falls in love with Constance. Alamir protects Constance from the Castilian king, then returns from battle and reveals he is the Duke of Foix, allowing him to marry her. Three acts end with musical divertissements.
Don Pedro, king of Castile, has taken Constance, princess of Navarre, captive. She escapes in disguise and finds refuge with Don Morillo, where she meets Alamir, who falls in love with her. After Alamir’s army defeats the Castilians, he reveals he is the Duke of Foix, clearing the way for his marriage to Constance.
After Apollo defeats Envy’s attack on the Temple of Glory, the opera presents three rulers tested by its standards. Bélus learns that kings should bring happiness rather than wage war; Bacchus is denied entry because fame won through debauchery is not lasting glory. Trajan returns victorious from Armenia but frees the conquered kings and asks that the Temple of Glory become a Temple of Happiness for all.
Hébé and Cupid redirect the pursuit of love from Europe to distant lands. In four entrées, Émilie and Valère reunite through Osman’s generosity; the Inca princess Phani chooses Carlos over the priest Huascar; Persian lovers resolve their disguises and suspicions; and Zima chooses Native American Adario over two European suitors. The Flowers entrée exists in two versions and was later omitted from Rameau’s 1761 form.
Argie loves the paladin Atis, but her guardian Anselme wants to marry her and holds her captive with her friend Nérine. Atis and the paladins disguise themselves to rescue Argie, while Nérine repeatedly distracts jailor Orcan. Fairy Manto transforms the castle and helps expose Anselme’s infidelity; he admits defeat, and Argie and Atis reunite.
A projected multi-act opéra-ballet planned around Anacreon; manuscript evidence links it to the one-act works Nélée et Myrthis, La naissance d’Osiris and Anacréon.
A pastoral drama by Alexis Piron, performed with incidental music by Rameau for its final divertissement and choreography by Antoine-François Dangeville.
The prologue celebrates the French victory at Fontenoy. The first entrée depicts Hercules marrying Hebe; the second tells how Seleucus gives up Stratonice when he learns that his son Antiochus loves her. In the third, Argélie’s love redeems Zimès from the evil fairy Alcina.
Alphonse, king of Castile, has imprisoned Fatime, princess of Granada, after killing her father. Her confidante Isbé persuades her that Alphonse’s son Ramire may be less cruel. Warriors and fortune-tellers bring hope, and Ramire finally appears and pledges himself to Fatime, who accepts his love.
After Cupid and Hymen reconcile in the prologue, Osiris wins the Amazon queen Orthésie through peaceful gifts of dance and art. Canopus saves Memphis from sacrifice, reveals himself to her, and grants mercy to the people. In the final entrée, Aruéris establishes an arts festival where Orie wins the singing contest and becomes his bride.
In the prologue, Hébé escapes the unwanted attention of Momus and joins celebrations of the arts. The three entrées tell of Sappho and Alcaeus reunited through an allegorical play, Tyrtaeus winning Iphise through victory in battle, and shepherdess Eglé choosing Mercury as her husband.
During the coronation of Sybaris’s new queen, Hersilide, the neighbouring city of Croton invades. Hersilide welcomes the attackers with flowers, and their general Astole falls in love with her. He agrees to let Sybaris keep its laws and acknowledges Cupid’s power; the two peoples celebrate together.
The original prologue celebrates peace after the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. In La lyre enchantée, Urania falls under a spell of love but Linus remains devoted to Parthenope; in Adonis, Cupid helps Venus win Adonis while Diana discovers her own love for Endymion. A 1757 revision removed the prologue, revised these entrées, and added Anacréon, in which a poet chooses love alongside Bacchus rather than excluding it.
Queen Cléonice and Linus, son of Apollo, love each other. Rejected suitor Gélanor and his sister Théano abduct Linus and imprison the queen. Linus escapes and reunites with Cléonice. After a tempest and shipwreck, Thetis saves the lovers, and Apollo unites them in marriage.
Shepherd Lisis laments his unrequited love for Délie, who considers love fleeting and offers him only friendship. Lisis pretends to love another shepherdess, Alcyone, provoking Délie’s jealousy. He arranges a festival in Alcyone’s honor, and Délie finally admits her love for him.
Athlete Nélée, preparing to celebrate victory at the Argive Games, says he is tired of the poet Myrthis’s indifference and claims to love Corinne. Myrthis reveals her jealousy, but when asked to choose a prize, Nélée names her, explaining he only pretended to love Corinne to punish her pride. The work ends with a celebration.
Neptune disguises himself as a mortal to win the nymph Naïs at the Isthmian Games. Her other suitors, Télénus and Astérion, misread a prophecy and plan to sacrifice their rival, but Neptune overwhelms them with waves. He reveals his identity, takes Naïs to his underwater palace, and transforms her into a goddess.
A projected five-act tragédie en musique combining the stories of Adam and Eve with the myths of Prometheus and Pandora.
The sculptor Pigmalion falls in love with the statue he has made and asks Venus to bring it to life, spurning his girlfriend Céphise. The statue animates, sings, and dances; Cupid praises Pigmalion’s artistry and finds another lover for Céphise. The work ends with celebrations of love.
To cure Juno’s jealousy, the gods arrange for Jupiter to pretend to love Platée, an ugly marsh nymph who believes everyone is attracted to her. Jupiter disguises himself as animals before appearing as a god, and a mock wedding is arranged. Juno discovers the ruse and realizes her jealousy was misplaced; the gods return to heaven and the humiliated Platée dives back into her pond.
Samson frees the Israelites and defeats the Philistines, but Delilah seduces him and learns that his strength lies in his hair. Captured and blinded, Samson is brought to the Philistine temple. He calls on God and brings down its columns, killing himself and his enemies.
An opera pasticcio combining Baroque music by several composers with a new text by Jeremy Sams. It brings together characters from Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, including Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, Helena, Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander.
Genie Zaïs disguises himself as a shepherd to win the love of shepherdess Zélide. Through a series of ordeals, he shows that he is willing to give up his magic for her. Oromasès, king of the genies, grants Zélide immortality so that they can marry.
Zoroastre, devoted to Amélite, is exiled by the sorcerer Abramane, who seeks the throne with Erinice. The good spirit Oromasès initiates Zoroastre, who returns to free Amélite and defeat the forces of evil. Abramane kidnaps her, but Zoroastre calls on the gods, who destroy the sorcerer and his followers; Zoroastre and Amélite are crowned rulers of Bactria.
Zephyrus hides among the nymphs of Diana and woos Chloris, making flowers appear beneath her feet. He asks Cupid to release the nymphs from their vows of chastity. Diana confesses her love for Endymion and frees them; Zephyrus and Chloris declare their love, and he transforms her into Flora.