issue, Cahusac explained the Egyptian background of the work: As she was leaving the temple of Jupiter, a Theban woman named Pamyles heard a voice announcing the birth of a hero who would one day bring happiness to Egypt. This hero was Osiris, whom Pamyles brought up and who was subsequently one of the most illustrious benefactors of humanity. To preserve the memory of this event, the Egyptians established the Festival of Pamylia. Osiris had already featured in the first act of Rameau's opéra-ballet Les fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour (premiered 1747 and revived in July 1754). The reviewer in Le Mercure de France described the richness of the scenery in La naissance: the pillars of the temple were carved with hieroglyphics; there were sphinxes and a palm-tree. He also gave a detailed account of the final dance in which the ballerina Mademoiselle Catinon played Cupid and Mademoiselle Puvigné a shepherdess. The reviewer praised the singing of the prima donna Marie Fel as Pamylie. There is no evidence La naissance d'Osiris was ever revived in the 18th century, probably because it was too closely linked with the occasion of the premiere. However, Rameau did reuse some of the music in his later works: Anacréon, Les Paladins and Les Boréades. Music The work is predominantly pastoral in style, containing four musettes (numbers which employ a musette de cour, a type of bagpipe). "La flamme des éclairs, les éclats du tonnerre" is unusually virtuosic for a bass aria. It appears that the performers found some of the music so technically challenging that it was omitted from the premiere; this virtuosic writing probably derives from Italian musical style. The overture too shows Italian influence; it is in three parts (quick-slow-quick) and the music of the last section is reprised in the final chorus of the opera. Roles Synopsis Scene: The stage shows the temple of Jupiter The shepherds rejoice at the peace their land enjoys; there is only one thing missing to make their happiness complete (chorus: "Coulez jours de paix, coulez jours heureux"). They bring their presents into the temple of Jupiter. A shepherd sings a musette celebrating the return of Spring and his love for Sylvie (musette: "Du printemps sur l'herbe fleurie"). A shepherdess vows to remain faithful to her lover (ariette: "Non, non, une flamme volage"). The sky darkens, lightning flashes and thunder rumbles; believing it is the wrath