La tragédie lyrique is a French theatrical genre that combines elements of drama and music. It typically features a serious narrative, often based on historical or mythological themes, and includes sung passages, known as arias, alongside spoken dialogue. This genre flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries, with notable composers like Jean-Baptiste Lully and Christoph Willibald Gluck contributing to its development. The structure of a tragédie lyrique usually involves a prologue followed by several acts, integrating orchestral music to enhance the emotional impact of the story. It aims to evoke deep feelings in the audience, blending the expressive power of music with the intensity of dramatic storytelling.