Barcelona, Spain (Akhnaten)

https://www.liceubarcelona.cat/en/akhnaten

Philip Glass, an influential American composer with a catalog that includes film soundtracks, chamber music, music for dance, symphonies, theatrical pieces, and various forms of opera, decided to dedicate a trilogy of operas to great revolutionary figures in history. Following Einstein on the Beach (1976), which explored notions of time and space, and Satyagraha (1980), where he delved into Gandhi’s spiritual and political revelation of nonviolence, came Akhnaten (1984), the culmination of this monumental portrait project.

Akhnaten tells the story of one of the most influential figures in history: the first pharaoh to transition from worshiping a pantheon of gods to just one, making Râ, the Sun, the sole deity of his kingdom. The award-winning countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo will take on the complex lead role, alongside Rihab Chaieb as Nefertiti.

Using texts from the era (ancient hymns, prayers, and inscriptions sung in their original Egyptian, Hebrew, and Akkadian), including a poem by Akhenaten himself, the opera traces his brilliant reign from his accession to the throne after the death of his father, Amenhotep III, to his downfall. Akhnaten features some iconic moments of minimalist music, such as the fabulous Coronation Scene.

Glass created an opera by exploring the invisible forces that influence the internal (psychological), interpersonal (political), and universal (mystical) aspects of existence, themes uniquely represented through the composer’s mesmerizing musical lines. The opera offers a captivating portrayal of the protagonists’ deepest emotions (excitement, fulfillment, despair) through musical forms such as glorious hymns, obsessive repetitions, and painful laments: sounds that emerge from the very depths of the characters’ souls.

Set during Akhenaten’s 17-year reign, around 1350 BCE, Akhnaten transports the audience to the fascinating world of ancient Egypt, filled with rituals and codes. Philip Glass’s masterful minimalist music is paired with a stunning production by Phelim McDermott (Metropolitan Opera House and English National Opera), featuring stylized movements, choreographed juggling by Gandini Juggling, and sumptuous costumes designed by Kevin Pollard.

This is one of the most significant premieres in the national territory in recent decades. A hypnotic score and a sensual staging brimming with visual magic.