Akhnaten

by Philip Glass
Opera Screening
Sung in mixed languages with English subtitles
Estimated Run Time: 3 hours and 41 minutes

Akhnaten begins at Year 1 with the funeral of Amenhotep III, leading to the coronation of Akhnaten. At the Window of Appearances, the Pharaoh reveals his intentions to form a monotheistic religion. Akhnaten and Queen Tye begin to make the changes that he has promised. In Year 17, Akhnaten and Nefertiti dwell in an insular world of their own creation with their six daughters. The priests of Amon emerge from the gathering crowds and break through the palace doors. Queen Tye and Nefertiti are also separated from Akhnaten, who is finally killed. Meanwhile the new Pharaoh, the young Tutankhamun, is crowned in a ceremony similar to that of his father, and the old polytheistic religion is restored.

Conductor: Karen Kamensek
Production: Phelim McDermott
Set Designer: Tom Pye
Costume Designer: Kevin Pollard
Lighting Designer: Bruno Poet
Choreographer: Sean Gandini
Cast: Dísella Lárusdóttir (Queen Tye), J’Nai Bridges (Nefertiti), Anthony Roth Costanzo (Akhnaten), Aaron Blake (High Priest of Amon), Will Liverman (Horemhab), Richard Bernstein (Aye), and Zachary James (Amenhotep III)