Lully, Jean-Baptiste

the full score of the tragédie en musique, in a prologue and five acts, notated for voices and instruments on up to twelve staves per page, with instrumental designations ("viollons", "Basse Continue"), without a separate title-page and titled on the first page above the music "Cadmus Tragedie Mise En Musique par Monsieur de Lully--Prologue"), blank at end,

205 pages, large folio (c.42 x 28.5cm), eighteenth-century calf, blue marbled endpapers, lacking a title page, inside lower corners affected by damp, worn, rebacked

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cadmus et Hermione (1673) was the first of Lully's long series of tragedies en musique, and thus was the first important French Opéra of the grande siècle. This work established the essential characteristics of the tradition that culminated in the French Grand Opera, concentrating on instrumental ballets, divertissements and choruses rather than Italianate virtuoso singing, typically in the large imposing Chaconne in Act 1 (pp.82ff).  No autograph manuscripts by Lully for any of his music survive.