- Libretto adaptation, direction and set design Stéphanie Jasmin
- Music Jonathan Dawe
How do you create a work that is thoroughly contemporary, even though it is composed entirely of elements from the past? How can you freely evoke the spirit of times gone by without being constrained by historical accuracy? These are the questions behind the creation of the opera La Tragédie d’Atys.
Drawing on the resources of opera, contemporary theatre, and dance, American composer Jonathan Dawe and multidisciplinary artist Stéphanie Jasmin rewrite the musical tragedy Atys (1676) by Jean-Baptiste Lully and Philippe Quinault, overlaying the traces of the original work with the outlines of a new narrative and new music, like a palimpsest. Drawing on the Baroque fascination with trompe-l’œil and the world of dreams, the show will incorporate the sounds of ancient instruments to move the audience imperceptibly between epochs and offer glimpses of bygone worlds.
Two principles underpin this approach: on the one hand, a commitment to radical eclecticism through an unusual combination of Baroque and contemporary elements; and on the other, a strong propensity for exchange, such that we seek to infuse the emerging work with the diverse practices and aesthetic backgrounds of those who contribute to it: performers, designers, and artistic partners from various theatres.
Company
In just over a decade of existence, Ballet Opéra Pantomime (BOP) has presented more than a dozen multidisciplinary productions, in partnership with the Opéra de Montréal, Les Violons du Roy, Orford Musique, and I Musici de Montréal, among others. Operating within a rich ecosystem of artists, performing arts companies, culture lovers, and local residents, BOP has presented its work in Montréal and Québec at Usine C, Théâtre Maisonneuve, Théâtre Espace GO, Arsenal art contemporain, Bourgie Hall, and Palais Montcalm.
Since its creation, BOP has worked with more than 500 artists, mainly in the fields of music, theatre, dance, and film. These multiple connections are the result of an initial decision to expand the pool of collaborators for each project around the creative core of the company’s artistic direction. BOP’s productions have showcased the talents of such visionary creators as directors Édith Patenaude and Sophie Cadieux, choreographer Dave St-Pierre, and singer-songwriter Sean Nicholas Savage.
Creative team
- Libretto adaptation, direction and set design Stéphanie Jasmin
- Music Jonathan Dawe
- Choreographer Estelle Clareton
- Music director Hubert Tanguay-Labrosse
- Assistant set designer Stéphane Longpré
- Video director Pierre Laniel
- Lighting Marc Parent
National Creation Fund investment
We are investing $150,000 in La Tragédie d’Atys. Musically, the Fund’s investment will support the fusion of Baroque and contemporary practices, and the exploration of the potential inherent in the amplification of early instruments and voices. In terms of staging, the Fund’s investment will enrich the expressiveness of the music and the set design by fine-tuning a video device that responds to the rhythms of the score. As for the choreography , the Fund’s investment will enable the choristers in the cast to take an active part in creating the ensemble tableaux.
"The support of the National Creation Fund gives us the impetus and resources we need to carry out the most complex project we have ever undertaken. This support allows us to invest fully, over a significant period of time, in the areas that constitute our practice, from musical research to design and performance exploration." – Alexis Raynault
Credits
La Tragédie d’Atys is coproduced by Ballet Opéra Pantomime, Opéra de Montréal, Les Boréades de Montréal, and UBU compagnie de création, in association with the National Theatre School of Canada and the National Arts Centre's National Creation Fund.
The project received funding from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, and several private partners.
Performance dates
Past performances
Performance Dates
World premiere in 2027.
