Bernard Richter

Tragédie en musique en un prologue et cinq actes (1676) de Jean-Baptite Lully. Poème de Philippe Quinault. "L'Opéra du Roi", tant il plaisait à Louis XIV, fut créé à la cour et repris à l'Académie royale de musique, dirigée par Lully. Son succès fut tel que les parodies se multiplièrent dès 1676. D'une intensité dramatique inédite, Atys est aussi le premier opéra à centrer son intrigue sur l'amour et la première tragédie française à faire mourir son héros en scène. Mêlant la danse et le chant expressif, Quinault et Lully soumettent le théâtre des conventions à la poésie des sentiments.

After the fall of Troy, King Idomeneo can finally think about returning to his homeland of Crete. During his long absence, his son Idamantes took care of the affairs of government and the Troyan prisoners of war, including Ilia, the daughter of King Priam. In order to get out alive from the storm that prevents him from landing in Crete, he promises to sacrifice the first living creature he encounters on his home soil to the sea god Poseidon. Unfortunately, this is his son who rushes to greet him. By sacrificing her life for Idamante's, whom she loves and who reciprocates her love, Ilia manages to appease Poseidon and release Idomeneo from his fateful oath. Production of the Grand Theatre de Geneve, 2024.