LULLY, or LULLI, JEAN BArrisTE (1633-8;). A celebrated composer, and the found er of the French opera. He was born at Flor ence, the son of a miller, and displaying. while still a child, a remarkable natural gift for music, he was educated by a monk in the use of the guitar. At the age of fourteen he went to Paris and found employment as scullion in the household of the Princess de Montpensier. He, however, taught himself to play the violin, and was placed among the 24 violinists attached to the service of the King. lie soon undertook com position. and so successfully that the King, hav ing heard him perform his own pieces, made him the leader of a new band, called 'h's petits violons.' He was subsequently appointed super intendent of Court music, and finally placed at the head of the Aeadilmie Royale de Musique, which the King founded in 1609. and was made
one of the King's secretaries. He composed 19 operas, besides ballet music and miscellaneous pieces. and even such composers as Handel and Purcell have not hesitated to acknowledge their obligations to him. He was on terms of inti macy with Moliere. composed music for some of his pieces, and even acted with success in his comedies. He gave to his adopted country the fundamental principle of NOM t has since come to be recognized as the French school of opera, and introduced simplicity and directness of ex pression. Up to 1778 Lully's operas continued to hold the public favor; but after Gluck, Piceini, and Paisiello came into fashion he was heard no more. :11cesle ( 1074 ) , Thesee ( 1075) , Parsee ( 10S2), and Arniide (168(3) are his most im portant compositions. Re died in Paris.