[Born near Florence, 1633. Died 1687. Aged 54.]
A musical genius; who began life as a scullery-boy, and, in soul,
continued a scullery-boy to the last. It was whilst playing the fiddle
in the kitchen of Mademoiselle de Montpensier that his musical faculty
was detected and rescued. Subsequently playing some airs of his own
composition to Louis XIV. he was made, at the age of 19, “Inspecteur
Général des Violons.” In 1672, letters-patent were granted him to
establish a Royal Academy of Music: that academy was the Opera. He
performed marvels at his theatre. He was at once composer, director,
ballet-master, leader of the band, and even machinist. Nothing came
amiss to him; and his activity, his popularity, his success were
enormous. In less than fifteen years he had composed nineteen operas,
which continued in high favour until put out of fashion by Gluck a
century afterwards. To appreciate the merits of Lully as a composer, we
must look at him from the point of view of his own time. So regarded, he
is an artist of great spirit and dramatic power. He found France without
any dramatic music whatever. He left works which formed the style of
later masters, and became the foundation of a national opera. He had
wit, energy, versatility, and was a great favourite with the Court. His
moral character was detestable. To the great he was grovelling; to his
earliest benefactress he was ungrateful; towards his dependants he was
overbearing, insolent and brutal.
[From the bust in the Church of Petits Pères.]