King Céphée expresses the terror his people feel for the snake-haired Mèduse: anyone who looks on her turns to stone. The goddess Juno has sent Mèduse to punish Queen Cassiope for her insolence in comparing her own beauty to that of the goddess. In an effort to appease Juno's wrath, Cassiope has prepared a celebration of games in her honour. We learn that Mérope, the queen's sister, secretly loves Persée. However, Persée loves and is loved by Andromède, the king's daughter. Andromède is betrothed to Phinée, her uncle, who, in an agony of jealousy, accuses her of not returning his love, suspecting that she loves another. Andromède assures him that she will fulfil her duty to love him. As the act ends, we learn that Juno has rejected the sacrifices made in her honour. Messengers arrive with the terrible news that Mèduse has taken more victims.
| Original Name | Persée |
| Librettist | Philippe Quinault |
| Date of composition | 1682 |
| Premiered | 1682, April 18th (Théâtre du Palais-Royal) in Paris, France |
| First published | 1682 |
| Type | Tragédie en musique (Musical Tragedy) |
| Catalogue | LWV 60 |
| Instruments |
Chorus/Choir
- Followers of Virtue and Fortune, followers of Cassiope, young persons chosen for the games, spectators, warrior nymphs, infernal deities, phantoms, Ethiopians, Tritons and Nereides, victorious heroes
Orchestra Voice (Haute-contre) - Persée son of Jupiter and Danaë Voice (Soprano) - Andromède daughter of Céphée Voice (Bass) - Phinée, brother of Céphée Voice (Soprano) - Mérope, sister of Cassiope Voice (Baritone) - Taille ; Phronime, attendant of Virtue Voice (Haute-contre) - Mégathyme, attendant of Virtue Voice (Soprano) - Virtue Voice (Soprano) - Fortune Voice (Bass) - Céphée, King of Ethiopia Voice (Soprano) - Cassiope, Queen of Ethiopia Voice (Haute-contre) - Amphimédon, an Ethiopian Voice (Baritone) - Corite, an Ethiopian Voice (Baritone) - Proténor, an Ethiopian Voice (Baritone) - A Cyclope Voice (Soprano) - A warrior Nymph Voice (Bass) - An infernal deity Voice (Haute-contre) - Mercure Voice (Baritone) - Taille ; Méduse, a Gorgon Voice (Haute-contre) - Euryale, a Gorgon Voice (Bass) - Sténone, a Gorgon Voice (Bass) - Idas, a courtier of Céphée's Voice (Baritone) - Taille ; High priest of Hymenée (wedding priest) Voice (Soprano) - Vénus Voice (Soprano) - L'Amour (Cupid) Voice (Soprano) - Hymenée (Marriage) Voice (Bass) - A Triton Voice (Haute-contre) - Ethiopian Voice (Baritone) - Taille ; Ethiopian |
| Autotranslations beta |
Jean-Baptiste Lully: Perseus, LWV 60 Jean-Baptiste Lully: Perseus, LWV 60 Jean-Baptiste Lully: Perseus, LWV 60 |