Composer

:

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Publication Date

:

1689

First Performance

:

Jan 10, 1676

Average_duration

:

170:01

Movement_count

:

89

Movement ....

Atys is an opera composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully in 1676. The plot is based on the Greek myth of Atys, a young man who becomes a priest of the goddess Cybele and is ultimately driven to madness and self-castration. The opera is divided into five acts and features a libretto by Philippe Quinault. The premiere of Atys took place on January 10, 1676, at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris. The opera was an immediate success and was performed over 80 times in its first year alone. Atys is considered one of Lully's greatest works and is credited with helping to establish French opera as a distinct genre. The movements of Atys are typical of French Baroque opera, featuring a prologue, five acts, and a grand chaconne at the end. The prologue sets the scene and introduces the characters, while the five acts tell the story of Atys and his tragic fate. The grand chaconne at the end is a celebratory dance that brings the opera to a close. One of the characteristics of Atys is its use of dance. Lully was a master of dance music, and Atys features numerous dance interludes throughout the opera. These dances are not just decorative, but are integral to the plot and help to advance the story. Another characteristic of Atys is its use of recitative. Recitative is a style of singing that is closer to speech than to traditional singing. It is used in opera to move the plot forward and to convey dialogue. Lully was a master of recitative, and Atys features numerous examples of this style of singing. Overall, Atys is a masterpiece of French Baroque opera. Its combination of dance, recitative, and beautiful music make it a must-see for anyone interested in the history of opera.

More....