Giovanni Battista Lulli, later naturalized as Jean-Baptiste Lully, arrived in Paris from Florence in 1646 to serve in the household of Mademoiselle de Montpensier. He mastered the violin and dance, eventually becoming an indispensable figure in the court of Louis XIV, where he dominated the development of French Baroque music for over three decades.
Early Career and Royal Patronage
Initially employed as a chamber boy after leaving Tuscany, the young musician gained recognition through his performance in the 1653 Ballet royal de la nuit. His ability to work as an actor, ballet dancer, and violinist quickly caught the attention of the monarch. By 1661, he had secured his position as superintendent of the royal music, allowing him to exert control over both the elite Petits Violons and the larger orchestral ensembles of the court.
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Lully formed a significant professional association with the playwright Molière, co-creating multiple comédie-ballets such as Le Bourgeois gentilhomme. This partnership combined theater with musical performance, establishing a standard for court entertainment. In 1672, after their professional split, Lully acquired the opera privilege held by Pierre Perrin, becoming the director of the Académie Royale de Musique. He utilized this position to maintain a monopoly over opera production in France until his death in 1687.
Musical Legacy and Final Years
His compositional output included significant works such as Bellérophon, Isis, and Thésée, which solidified his standing as a master of the Baroque style. Despite his success, his later years were marked by scandal and courtly distance, particularly regarding his personal life and a 1685 police investigation. His death resulted from an injury sustained during a performance; while conducting a Te Deum, he struck his foot with his long staff, causing gangrene. He refused amputation, leading to a fatal infection. He was buried at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires in Paris.
Fast facts
- Born: 1632, Florence
- Died: 1687, Paris
- Citizenship: Kingdom of France, Grand Duchy of Tuscany
- Primary occupations: Composer, conductor, violinist, ballet dancer
- Key works: Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, Bellérophon, Isis, Thésée
- Burial site: Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
Questions readers ask
How did Lully die?
He died of gangrene after accidentally striking his foot with his heavy conducting staff during a performance.
Did Lully collaborate with Molière?
Yes, they collaborated on several works, including the well-known Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, before ending their partnership in 1672.
Achievements
- Notable work: Bellérophon
- Notable work: Isis
- Notable work: Thésée
- Notable work: Le Bourgeois gentilhomme
- Instruments: violin
- Genres: opera, classical music and ballet
