Hippolyte et Aricie

opera by Rameau

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Hippolyte et Aricie is an opera by the French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, first performed in 1733. The opera is based on the myth of Hippolytus, a story also dramatized by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides in his play Hippolytus.123

The opera tells the tragic story of Hippolytus, son of Theseus, and Aricie, a princess. It explores themes of forbidden love, divine wrath, and the destructive consequences of passion. Rameau's Hippolyte et Aricie was groundbreaking for its time, noted for its complex orchestration, rich harmonies, and dramatic intensity, which set it apart from earlier French operatic traditions. The work was initially met with a mixed reception, with some critics finding it innovative and others finding it too complex compared to the style of earlier composers like Jean-Baptiste Lully.231

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

7 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Jean-Philippe Rameau
…in many ways finest opera, Hippolyte et Aricie. It was first performed in the spring of 1733, at La Pouplinière’s house, then, in the autumn, at the Opéra, and in 1734 it was performed at court. André Campra, perhaps the most celebrated French composer of the time, remarked to the…
Read More
…in many ways finest opera, Hippolyte et Aricie. It was first performed in the spring of 1733, at La Pouplinière’s house, then, in the autumn, at the Opéra, and in 1734 it was performed at court. André Campra, perhaps the most celebrated French composer of the time, remarked to the…
Read More