Thesee 2nd edition, 1711

Thesée, which premiered at the court theater at St. Germain-en-laye on January 11, 1675, was Jean-Baptiste Lully's third tragédie lyrique created in collaboration with librettist Philippe Quinault. As in most of his libretti for Lully, Quinault combines a plot based on a classical source (an episode from Ovid's Metamorphoses) with references to contemporary events. The Prologue alludes to Louis XIV's personal leadership in the military engagements in the Alsace (along the French/German border). The juxtaposition of Venus' entreaties for pleasure with Mars' call to arms reflects a period of unease during which the French armies were in retreat from the armies of the Elector of Brandenburg. This resulted in the unique joining of songs of love with songs of war and victory. 

In his libretto for Thesée, Quinault takes considerable liberties with his classical sources. The opera's plot is propelled by a particularly convoluted love quadrangle: Aegée, King of Athens, is engaged to marry the princess Médée, a sorceress with a devious mind, a nasty temper, and prodigious occult powers. However, Aegée has unwisely fallen in love with Aeglé, an Athenian princess who is also his ward. This already delicate situation is compounded by the appearance of a mysterious stranger--Thesée, who is actually Aegée's long-lost son--who promptly falls in love with Aeglé. To further complicate matters, Médée recognizes Thesée, for whom she has long harbored a deep passion. The excessive symmetry of the plot is further defined by the triangle between the minor characters of Cleone, Arcas and Dorine, (confidants of Aeglé, Aegée and Médée, respectively), which mirrors the relationships between Aeglé, Thesée and Médée. This caused one contemporary to remark that the plot was "un peu puérile" ("a little childish," quoted in Anthony, 72). 

Despite the deficiencies of the plot, Thesée was among Lully's most popular operas during his lifetime and for many years after his death. In 1779, when the Opéra presented an historical survey of French operatic styles, Thesée was chosen to represent the style of Lully. 

The Prologue takes place in the gardens in front of the French palace of Versailles. (This is the only Prologue in all of Lully's tragédies lyriques to be set in a real locale, although all make some reference to real events.) A chorus of Pleasures and Sport from the retinue of the goddess Venus retreat into the forest, lamenting that there are no longer festivities at the palace since the king is constantly away with his army on campaigns. As Venus begs them to return in a lovely aria ("Revenez, Amours, revenez"), a flourish of trumpets announce the entrance of Mars, the god of war. Mars proclaims the suspension of hostilities and sings the praises of France and her victorious king. Mars and Venus are joined by Ceres, goddess of the harvest, and Bacchus, god of wine, and their attendants. All pay homage to Louis XIV and rejoice in his return. 

As Act I begins, members of the Athenian court have taken refuge in the temple of Minerve, patron goddess of Athens. Sounds of battle are heard in the distance as the princess Aeglé begs Minerve to protect the Athenian army and their king, Aegée. Cleone, Aeglé's confidante, reports that the mysterious hero Thesée, whom Aeglé loves, is safe and has rallied support behind the king in the continuing confrontation. The use of the orchestra in the background battles is particularly effective. Arcas, a confidant of King Aegée, appears to assure himself of the safety of Cleone, whom he loves. She assures him that his bravery will win her heart and he returns to the fight. The powerful prayer of the High Priestess to Minerve ("Prions, prions la Déesse") is interrupted by the shouts of the victorious Athenians. King Aegée, left alone with Aeglé, reveals that he loves the princess and wishes to marry her. Aeglé reminds the king that he is already espoused to the sorceress Médée. Aegée explains that he has arranged to marry his son to Médée in his place. The act ends with a celebratory offering to Minerve and the people's prayers for peace. 

Act II takes place in Aegée's palace. Médeé and her confidante Dorine discuss Thesée's heroism and the general untrustworthiness of men. Aegée enters and explains his plan to marry Aeglé himself and transfer his engagement to Médée to his son. Médée, who has recognized Thesée as Aegée's long-lost son, is not unhappy with the change. Arcas enters to praise Thesée's heroism and suggest him as a successor to the throne of Athens. In a brief confrontation, Dorcas challenges Arcas with their previous relationship, which has been superseded by Arcas' love for Cleone. Thesée enters with a hero's entourage of soldiers and worshipful citizens. Médée confronts Thesée, who acknowledges that it is Aeglé who has inspired his love. Médée pretends to sympathize, warning Thesée that the king is his rival for Aeglé's love, but promising to do her best to support their love. Left alone, she gives vent to her jealous rage, swearing to do whatever is necessary to retain Thesée for herself.

Act III continues in Aegée's Palace. Aeglé and Cleone ponder the various pressures weighing on a hero: love, victory, glory. Arcas enters to inform Aeglé of Aegée's intention to marry her, and assures Aeglé that the king's age will not prevent him from being an ardent bridegroom. Cleone and Aeglé both implore Arcas to persuade the king to make another choice. Aeglé attempts to enlist the aid of Médeé, assuring the sorceress that her prior claim to Aegée and the crown of Athens are safe. Médeé, realizing that Aeglé loves Thesée, reveals that she herself is Aeglé's rival for Thesée's affections. Through her magic, Médeé magic transforms the palace into a terrible desert. Terrified, Cleone calls for her beloved, Arcas. Dorine appears, threatening the two lovers, but concludes that she no longer loves such a fickle man. Médeé sends Cleone and Arcas back to Athens and invokes the infernal shades to seek out Aeglé in a powerful dramatic recitative ("Sortez, Ombres, sortez"). Aeglé, menaced by Médée's minions, wishes only to die.

Act IV continues in the terrible desert. Aeglé resists Médeé's coercion and wants to die rather than to be without her love. Médeé causes a deep sleep to come over Thesée and has her flying demons bring him to her. Médeé tells Aeglé that she will kill Thesée unless Aeglé promises to marry Aegée. Aeglé agrees so long as Thesée is released unharmed. The scene changes to a magic island. Thesée awakes and Aeglé confesses that, in order to save to his life, she has agreed to be married to Aegée. Thesée is devastated by Aeglé's announcement, and the two lovers agree that both would rather die than be separated. Médeé, sensing failure, undertakes an even more devious plan. She pretends to be moved by their love, and promises to promote their union. The inhabitants of the magical island celebrate. 

Act V begins in Médeé's palace in which Médeé has prepared a magnificent meal as a pretext, in order to take revenge on Thesée. She suggests to Aegée that Thesée is not only his rival with Aeglé, but also a threat to his authority as king of Athens. After an initial hesitation, Aegée offers Thesée a poisoned drink. Just as Thesée begins to drink, the king recognizes Thesée's sword as the one given to his long-lost son. The king immediately stops Thesée from drinking and willingly gives the valiant warrior the hand of his beloved Aeglé. Médée, enraged, calls on her powers to destroy the festival gathering. The assembled people, however, appeal to Minerve who intervenes, banishing Médée forever. In their newly-restored palace the citizens and dignitaries celebrate the union of father and son and the newly-united lovers.