The genre 'pastorale héroïque? is a legacy of the grand siècle of Louis XIV and in the 18th century it only rarely reached the stage. But in the second period of his career it became Rameau's preferred genre: the more unconventional world of shepherds and nymphs gave him greater freedom in terms of dramatic action, stage décor and musical virtuosity compared to the tragédie lyrique. This is demons…
