''Atys'' is a

tragédie lyrique This is a glossary list of opera genres, giving alternative names. "Opera" is an Italian word (short for "opera in musica"); it was not at first ''commonly'' used in Italy (or in other countries) to refer to the genre of particular works. Most c ...

in three acts by

Niccolò Piccinni Niccolò Piccinni (; 16 January 1728 – 7 May 1800) was an Italian composer of symphonies, sacred music, chamber music, and opera. Although he is somewhat obscure today, Piccinni was one of the most popular composers of opera—particularly th ...

with a French libretto by Jean-François Marmontel. Marmontel's libretto was based upon

Philippe Quinault Philippe Quinault (; 3 June 1635 – 26 November 1688), French dramatist and librettist, was born in Paris. Biography Quinault was educated by the liberality of François Tristan l'Hermite, the author of ''Marianne''. Quinault's first play w ...

's libretto for Jean-Baptiste Lully's 1676 opera of the same title. Quinault based his rendition on

Ovid Pūblius Ovidius Nāsō (; 20 March 43 BC – 17/18 AD), known in English as Ovid ( ), was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a contemporary of the older Virgil and Horace, with whom he is often ranked as one of the th ...

's ''

Fasti In ancient Rome, the ''fasti'' (Latin plural) were chronological or calendar-based lists, or other diachronic records or plans of official and religiously sanctioned events. After Rome's decline, the word ''fasti'' continued to be used for simil ...

''. Marmontel adapted Quinault's libretto and modified it by removing the prologue and divertissements. He also altered the plot; instead of using Ovid's metamorphic ending (which Quinault used), Atys commits suicide. Piccinni's opera was premiered by the Paris Opera at the second

Salle du Palais-Royal Salle is the French word for 'hall', 'room' or 'auditorium', as in: *Salle des Concerts Herz, a former Paris concert hall *Salle Favart, theatre of the Paris Opéra-Comique *Salle Le Peletier, former home of the Paris Opéra *Salle Pleyel, a Paris ...

on 22 February 1780. Musically the opera is admired for its fugal overture, the dream sequence in act 2, the long quartet at the dramatic climax, and the somber dirge with which it ends. In 1783 there was a second version of the opera produced by Piccinni and Marmontel. In order to satisfy the current trends in opera, they changed the ending to a ''lieto fine'', or happy ending, by rewriting entire sections of the original opera. In this second version ''Atys'' was returned to the stage of the Opéra in 1783, 1784, 1791 and 1792. In all, it was mounted at the Opéra on 65 dates before being dropped for good.

Roles

Synopsis (original 1780 version)

Act 1

Atys, is secretly in love with the nymph Sangaride who is betrothed to Atys' friend King Célénus. Atys confesses his secret to his close friend Idas. Unbeknownst to Atys, Sangaride is also secretly in love with him, a fact which she confides to Doris who is Idas's sister. When Cybele, the great Phrygian Mother of the Gods, arrives the Phrygians celebrate her presence. Atys and Sangaride initially try to conceal their feelings from one another but eventually they confess their love for each other. The act ends with the goddess Cybèle announcing the surprise decision to make Atys Sangaride's "great Sacrificer" rather than Célénus.

Act 2

The goddess Cybèle confesses to Mélisse, her confidante, that she too is in love with Atys. Meanwhile, Célénus tries to discern Sangaride's true feeling for him by questioning Atys. Atys assures him that Sangaride will be a good wife for him. After Célénus leaves, Atys reflects upon his conflicting feelings regarding his friendship to Célénus and his love for Sangaride. While doing so, Atys falls asleep and is visited in his dreams by Morphée, the God of Sleep. Morphée reveals to Atys that Cybèle is in love with him and that he must give up Sangaride for her or there will be disastrous consequences. Atys awakes and finds Cybèle looking down upon him. Sangaride enters and requests Cybèle to free her from her engagement to Célénus. Atys, however, prevents Sangaride from revealing their love for one another which confuses her. Cybèle agrees to break the engagement off but realises that the whole truth is being kept from her.

Act 3

Sangaride is distressed over Atys's behavior and comes to believe that he is in love with Cybèle. Heartbroken, Sangaride decides to abandon pursuing Atys and renew her engagement to Célénus. Atys enters and a quarrel ensues, eventually ending in the reconciliation of the two lovers. Unbeknownst to them, Cybèle has witnessed this argument and out of jealousy decides to get revenge on the lovers with the help of Célénus. Cybèle casts a spell upon Atys to make him insane. Under this spell, Atys murders Sangaride, mistaking her for a monster. After Célénus informs everyone about this murder, Cybèle restores Atys' sanity. Upon learning of Sangaride's murder by his own hands, Atys despairs and commits suicide.

References

Notes Sources * * *

External links

* {{Authority control Operas 1780 operas Tragédies en musique French-language operas Operas by Niccolò Piccinni Operas based on classical mythology Works based on Fasti (poem) Operas based on works by Ovid