 The opera is set to a libretto by Gentil-Bernard.According to the usage of the time, it was originally just billed as a ""ballet""  and was only later classified by scholars as an "opéra-ballet", although its content might more precisely ascribe it to the ballet héroïque genre.The original 1748 version consisted of a prologue and two entrées (acts), "La lyre enchantée" and "Adonis".