William Christie - Atys - "Dormons, dormons tous" (scène du sommeil)

Interpretation of the Ovidii's tragedy made by lebrettist Quinault.

The story of Atys is contained in the fourth book; he was a Phrygian deity who, in this version of the story, loves Sangaride. Sangaride loves Atys, in return, yet is all set to marry Celenus, King of Phrygia. But Atys, very unfortunately for him, as it turns out, is secretly loved by the goddess Cybele; her arrival for the forthcoming marriage of Celenus and Sangaride is but a pretext for seeing Atys and revealing to him her love. Courtly or godly propriety, however, prevents her from openly declaring her feelings so, instead, she causes Atys to fall into a deep sleep intending to let him know of her love in a dream. The dream turns into something of a nightmare and when he wakes from it Cybele learns that Atys and Sangaride love one another. The two lovers swear eternal faith while Cybele and Celenus are left licking their wounds. Cybele determines upon a terrible revenge. By application of her magic she makes Atys believe that he sees a horrible monster; he stabs it to death only then to discover that it is his beloved Sangaride. Broken hearted, Atys stabs himself but is prevented from a normal death by Cybele who turns him into a pine tree. Deeply regretting her immortality, which gives her no respite from her suffering, Cybele is left mourning over a love that has for ever been snatched away from her. The work is unusual amongst Lully's operas therefore in not having a happy ending.

This clip shows a Atys's hard sleep, after his escape from Phrygia with Sangaride. All Atys's torment and sorrow expressed in this dance called Sarabande.We have to remember that this is Sarabande passionate Spanish dance, but in the Baroque era, it has become even more than one meaning.
Sarabande is not only a passion but a huge thirst life before face of death. This is melancholy about what will be lost later. Unbearable anguish about love, life, the sun etc.

Staged in 1987 by Les Arts Florissants and conducted by William Christie.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Lully
• Atys
• baroque
• ballet
• christie
• Pare

[MissCecchetti]

The dancer is Jean-Christophe Pare. He was a premier danseur with the Paris Opera Ballet when Francine Lancelot choreographed this dance for him in "Atys". By the way - it's NOT a sarabande. Sarabande is a triple-time dance, and this tune "Dormons" is in duple time.

[anzdf]

Excelente.

[jplully]

ATYS On 14, 15, 17 July 2011 in the Opera of Chateau Versailles (By William Christie)

[rbranthony]

"it's NOT a sarabande. Sarabande is a triple-time dance, and this tune "Dormons" is in duple time."

Thank You for this...

[alexandertinjaca]

@tonyant36 ..yeah, it is so beautiful and sad at the same time...

[peymaania]

I'm perhaps slightly mad. I find that I'll go to almost any length for a little light amusement and pleasure!

[Imperatormudi]

you are mad?

[tonyant36]

so beautiful

[dogayali]

uzucu ve cok guzel.

[giaenonancora]

E' meraviglioso. Questa parte dell'Atys è forse la più bella. Il prologo, i cori sono le partiture più riuscite

[lalungenuictdestens]

You're forgetting "Medea" ;)