Ys my fault

experimental opera

February 2024

Ys my fault was a collaborative project between the students of Coservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon (CNSMD) and students of École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre (ENSATT) in Lyon, France. 

​

This project delves into the legend of the submerged city of Ys, nestled beneath the Bay of Douarnenez in south-west Brittany. The most famous version of the Ys legend tells of a beautiful and prosperous city built by King Gradlon and his daughter Dahut (or Ahes). The city had a system of sluice gates that could be opened to allow ships to enter and closed to protect the city of the sea. However, Dahut’s greed and debauchery led to the city’s downfall. She stole the key to the gates and opened them during a storm, causing the city to be flooded and sink beneath the waves.

​

Our reinterpretation and synopsis:

​

In a realm where experimentation and creativity converge, an experimental music band embarks on a journey in their studio. Initially set to record a concept album, the session takes an unexpected turn as the opera singer, recognizing an uncanny connection to Dahud, becomes the catalyst for a catastrophy that transports the band into an alternate universe—one steeped in myth and the aftermath of catastrophic events.

​

At the heart of our reinterpretation lies the enigmatic figure of Dahut, burdened with the weight of her people's downfall, embodying an archetype that traverses epic tales—a portrayal we have chosen to revitalize. Through a fusion of musical genres including mashup opera, dream pop, noise, and ambient sounds, our composition seeks to reimagine this timeless narrative, breathing new life into its age-old themes of guilt, desire, and the complexities of human nature.