Les plaisirs de Versailles Les plaisirs de Versailles Les plaisirs de Versailles (English: "The Pleasures of Versailles") is a short opera (or "divertissement") by the French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier. It was intended for performance at the new courtly entertainment known as "les appartements du roi" ("the king's receptions") devised by King Louis XIV and held in his own apartments at the palace of Versailles in 1682. At the time, Charpentier was composer for Louis, "le Grand Dauphin", the king's son. The librettist is unknown. Most of the characters represent the pleasures enjoyed at Versailles: "La Musique" (Music), "La Conversation" (Conversation), "Le Jeu" (Gambling), Comus
Louis XIV of France Work". Over the course of four building campaigns, Louis converted a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII into the spectacular Palace of Versailles. With the exception of the current Royal Chapel (built near the end of Louis' reign), the palace achieved much of its current appearance after the third building campaign, which was followed by an official move of the royal court to Versailles on 6 May 1682. Versailles became a dazzling, awe-inspiring setting for state affairs and the reception of foreign dignitaries. At Versailles, the king alone commanded attention. Several reasons have been suggested for the creation of the