Metropolitan Opera - Akhnaten
Phelim McDermott's visionary new production of Philip Glass's 1983 classic
Metropolitan Opera - Akhnaten
A gloriously coloured eye-catching affair.
The Guardian
Metropolitan Opera - Akhnaten
Phelim McDermott's visionary new production of Philip Glass's 1983 classic
Why see Metropolitan Opera - Akhnaten?
New Production
Philip Glass's 1983 masterpiece is born anew in this blockbuster staging from Phelim McDermott. Setting pulses racing with visionary effects, acrobats and performers, discover the story of one of Egypt's most revolutionary Pharaohs. Alongside his wife Nefertiti, Akhnaten changed the landscape of his kingdom. The third of the minimalist composer's portrait trilogy, this fantastic new production stars Anthony Roth Constanzo and Rihan Chaieb, conducted by Karen Kamensek.
Akhnaten
The operatic dialogue was composed using various texts taken from ancient letters, hymns, inscriptions, and prayers; to add to the historic authenticity the opera is sung in Hebrew, Egyptian, and Akkadian. Centered on the life and religious beliefs of the titular pharaoh, from the early years of his reign in Thebes, all the way to the modern-day, where his ghost and that of queen Nefertiti mourn their ruined city.
Key Information
Audience
Sung in English with Met titles in English, German, Spanish and Italian
Run Time
Three hours and 31 minutes with two intermissions
Dates
Finished Jun 10, 2022
Cast
Anthony Roth Costanzo as Akhnaten
J'Nai Bridges as Nefertiti
Disella Larusdittir as Queen Tye
Aaron Blake as High Priest of Amon
Will Liverman as Horemhab
Richard Bernstein as Aye
Zachary James as Amenhotep, The Scribe
Creative
Conductor - Karen Kamensek
Composer - Philip Glass
Librettists - Philip Glass in association with Shalom Goldman, Robert Israel, Richard Riddell, and Jerome Robbins.
Production - Phelim McDermott
Set - Tom Pye
Costume - Kevin Pollard
Lighting - Bruno Poet
Choreography - Sean Gandini
Reviews
Customer reviews
3 reviews, average rating: (3.7 Stars)
Gordon M. Brown
Four-and-a-half stars
I agree that the "steampunk" elements of some of the costuming simply didn't work (in particular, Queen Tiye's outfit in the first act is simply ridiculous), and that Akhnaten's robe befitted a Chinese emperor from the Ming Dynasty more than an Egyptian pharaoh from a much earlier time. But to issue one star for trifles such as these simply misses the larger picture, which comprises the prayerful nature of Glass's music in this opera, the glorious, otherworldly singing, the beautiful abstractions conveyed by the impressive set design of this production, and, not least of all, the incorporation of a professional juggling troupe that cleverly mirrors the steadily rhythmic, repetitive but constantly shifting nature of the score. (Mind you, this comes from someone who is not especially a fan of minimalist music.) For my part, I feel that the opera is perfectly paced, not the least bit slow or dragging. Do not be dissuaded by the one-star review here; catch this while you still can! ... Read more
Marina
Mesmeric meditation
I can't find words - visually spectacular. Hypnotic music, completely absorbing meditation ..... I could watch it over and over. Costanzo 's voice was bewitching. ... Read more
NEWS, TICKETS, THEATRE & MORE
"Broadway and show news straight to your inbox!"
Read how we protect your data .