The Reine des Sylphes (queen of the Sylphs) declares her love to Polichinelle. The latter is taken into her palace in the air and praised by a Suivante (lady-in-waiting), a Comédien (comedian), a Poète (poet) and a Musicien (musician). Each provides opportunities to mock Parisian people’s immorality and idiosyncrasies. The Reine joins Polichinelle: together, they attend a divertissement danced by the Sylphes (Sylphs), and the final vaudeville.

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

France

Paris

Printed

Germanic mythology

Fairy

Parisian life

Immorality

Unfaithfulness

Love

Life of the theatres

Fantasy

Comical

Satirical

Manuscrit of Polichinelle roi des Sylphes (BnF, Ms Fr 9312).

French

Polichinelle

Queen

Lady-in-waiting

Actor

Poet

Musician

Sylph

Invisible character

Off-stage voice

Dancing entertainment

Final song

Play with drawers

Aria

Polichinelle roi des Sylphes

Polichinelle king of the Sylphs