ABSTRACT

The city of Paris is going to take control of the Opera. Since January 1757 the city of Paris took control of the Opera, anarchy has ruled, and this just as much as the stupidity of M. de Bernage has undermined its success. The duc d'Antin and M. de Landivisiau, maitre des requetes, were appointed to oversee everything concerning the discipline and management of the Opera, on behalf of the minister of the king's household. Central to any study of French dramatic music of the period from Lully to Rameau is the history and organization of the Paris Opera. Louis de Cahusac XIV granted new letters patent to Lully-Rameau, giving him permission to run a Royal Academy of Music. The legal case described arises from an alleged breach of the contracts by which monopolistic powers were transferred to Lully's heirs and successors, in this case, his second son, also named Jean-Baptiste.