AT THE OPERA
Premiere anniversaries, Part 1
Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep
Lully, J-B. Atys. Opera in five acts. Libretto by Philippe Quinault. First performed Versailles January 1676.
Lully, J-B. Atys, Prologue
[18:24]
Lully, J-B. Atys, Act I
[41:56]
Lully, J-B. Atys, Act II
[33:48]
Lully, J-B. Atys, Act III
[26:34]
Lully, J-B. Atys, Act IV
[24:27]
Lully, J-B. Atys, Act V
[30:10]
ATYS: Guy de Mey, ten
CYBÈLE: Guillemette Laurens, mezz
SANGARIDE: Agnès Mellon, sop
CÉLÉNUS: Jean François Gardeil, bar
Les Arts Florissants/William Christie.Total Time: 2:50:34
Harmonia Mundi HMX 2908250.79
The prologue praises Louis XIV as a hero after his victory over the Netherlands. The opera begins with the shepherd, Atys, singing to encourage the Phrygians to welcome the goddess, Cybèle. Atys declares his love for the nymph, Sangaride, who also loves him, but she is betrothed to Célénus, King of the Phrygians. Cybèle, who loves Atys, selects him as high priest. With his new authority, Atys cancels the marriage of Sangaride and Célénus. Cybèle and Célénus plot revenge. Cybèle casts a spell on Atys and induces him to kill Sangaride. Coming to his senses, Atys tries to kill himself but is turned into a pine tree by Cybèle. Having avenged herself, Cybèle is left lamenting.
Lully, J-B. Excerpts from L’Amour médecin, comédie-ballet (1665). Isabelle Poulenard, sop; Agnès Mellon, sop; Bernard Delétré, bass; Les Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski.
Erato 245 286-2 [10:34]
Lully, J-B. Excerpts from Acis et Galatée, Act I (1674). Monique Simon, sop; Françoise Masset, mezz; Thierry Félix, bar; Les Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski.
Archiv 453 497-2 [08:28]
23:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared and presented by James Nightingale
Haquinius, A. Nocturne (c1900). Semmy Stahlhammer, vn; Love Derwinger, pf.
nosag 4049 [02:16]
Norgård, P. Violin concerto: Light night (1986-87). Christina Astrand, vn; Danish National RSO/Thomas Dausgaard.
Chandos CHAN 9830 [23:46]