L’opéra à la cour, de Mazarin à la Régence (1645-1723) : espaces de représentation, genres et interprètes

As a form of princely entertainment, opera flourished at court between Mazarin’s ministry and the Regency, and was destined to continue throughout the eighteenth century. Not subject to formal constraints or the logic of profitability, this genre was performed in different places within royal residences, depending on the circumstances and purpose of the production: the Palais-Royal in Paris, the Châteaux de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Versailles and Fontainebleau. In the absence of an actual theatre designed to meet the technical needs of opera, which would not be built in Versailles until 1770 for the wedding of the future Louis XVI, these spaces were arranged and used in different ways, hosting operas given in the sung version only, or semi-scenic with costumes, or with decors and machines. The discussion will also extend to the question of preferred genres and performers in order to gain a better understanding of the specific nature of the repertoire performed at court. Taken together, these elements provide a perspective on the curial practices of opera production and reception.