ECU Libraries Catalog

Music in the service of the King: France in the seventeenth century / Robert M. Isherwood.

Author/creator Isherwood, Robert M., 1935-2007
Format Book and Print
Publication InfoIthaca [N.Y.] : Cornell University Press, [1973]
Descriptionxiv, 422 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Subject(s)
Contents Musical philosophy -- Music and the monarchy before the reign of Louis XIV. Musical pageantry at the Valois court ; The academie de poesie et de musique ; The "Magnificences" of 1851 ; Ballet under the early Bourbons -- Music and the monarchy during the youth of Louis XIV. Mazarin and the Italian opera ; Benserade's court ballets ; The apex of French ballet under Jean-Baptiste Lully -- The centralization of music. Colbert and the artistic academies ; The academy of music and the origins of French opera ; Lully and the academie royale de musique -- The operas of Lully. Elements of style ; Historical perspective ; Death and judgement -- Divertissements. The Petits Divertissements ; The Grands Divertissements -- Ceremony and celebration -- The end of the reign. The academie royale de musique ; The involvement of the church ; The last operas.
Abstract The arts, particularly music, are viewed in this work as an integral part of evolving royal absolutism during the reign of Louis XIV. Drawing extensively on archival documents and musical scores, the author views the historical association of music and monarchy as a continuous development beginning with the Valois and climaxing in Louis XIV's reign. The king is pictured as a rational, calculating man whose luxurious life style was politically motivated, and who undertook the centralization of the arts to assure French artistic preeminence. Elaborate, costly musical productions were also used to distract the nobility, to demonstrate French affluence to foreign powers, and to embellish the royal image.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 397-414).
LCCN 72008467
ISBN0801407346

Available Items

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Music Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk ML270.2.I8 M8 ✔ Available Place Hold