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.
The dancer is Jean-Christophe Paré.
Staged in 1987 by Les Arts Florissants and conducted by William Christie.