Alceste ou le triomphe d’Alcide occupies a key position in the history of the French genre of tragédie en musique. The work’s extraordinary linguistic and musical qualities bear witness to this. Louis XIV, who is present in the work via two characters, Apollo and Alcide, recognised the significance of the genre in radiating his charisma in France and his international prestige.

By evaluating all sources, including the most recently discovered manuscript of Alceste from Lully’s private library...