Sometimes you can get a fabulous TRAVEL THERAPY fix by attending a cultural event that will take you back in time and place, so I was thrilled to be invited to the BAM ATYS Opening Gala. History in the making!
When I got the call from my friends at the French tourism office inviting me to be their guest and attend BAM’s, Brooklyn Academy of Music’s, 150 year anniversary celebration as the country’s oldest performing arts center I was honored and excited. It would be my first time to BAM and for a first time I can’t imagine seeing a more special event than the premier performance of the legendary Atys opera and its return to BAM with Maestro William Christie and French ensemble Les Arts Florissants.
Here’s a little background. It was more than twenty years ago in 1989 when Jean-Baptiste Lully’s famed Atys opera first was showcased at BAM. It is said conductor William Christie and the orchestra Les Arts Florissants, “rekindled the ravishing power of French Baroque opera for both New York City and the World.”
Since I didn’t know much about the history of the Atys opera I did some research and quickly became fascinated. It turns out the Atys opera actually dates all the way back to 1676 when it was first created for King Louis XIV , taken from Ovid’s poem Fasti, and is this incredible, sparkling mix of royal court’s dance and chorus that follows the tragic story of Ovid’s losing love to a vengeful god. Amazing how several hundred years later the messages about love still ring so true! I also was blown away by the detail on the costumes —spectacular doesn’t even seem to begin to cover it!
If you’re thinking opera isn’t your thing and you won’t understand what’s being sung, think again! Even if you don’t know understand a single word in the songs the story unfolds magically before you and you’re transported into another time and place, swept away by the grandeur and majesty of it all. At BAM they actually put key words above the stage so you can follow along, although truthfully the actors are so talented you don’t even need the words, you can figure out what is happening on your own.
Atys at Bam is a true TRAVEL THERAPY experience because you feel the French influence all around you and BAM itself has such historical significance with the performing arts . The fact that champagne was served during both intermissions for the opening galas was the perfect French touch!
The Atys performance is four hours long, with the two intermissions, but the time seems to glide by so quickly and your honestly left wanting more. After the performance we attended a formal gala dinner that was overflowing with decadent French cuisine, champagne and wine, the ideal end to an ideal afternoon and evening!
Atys is a true opera experience I’ll never forget and I’m so to be part of BAM ‘s 150 year anniversary. Thank you French Tourism and BAM for a truly special night!
MORE INFO:
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House-ATYS Sept 18-24
Run time: 4 hours with 2 intermissions
For more: www.bam.org
