Akhnaten by Philip Glass

Philip Glass's 'Akhnaten' at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam is unfortunately sold out. Karen Kamensek conducted Glass's 'Akhnaten', and Anthony Roth Costanzo sang the title role at the Met. The Matinee is bringing both (as well as Zachary James) to the Netherlands.

Akhnaten by Philip Glass

Dates

Sat 6 Jun12:30 - 16:35

Location

Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 LN Amsterdam

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Contemporary opera

Together with Einstein on the Beach and Satyagraha , the opera Akhnaten (1983) forms a triptych about science, politics, and religion. Composer Philip Glass, often in collaboration with theatre maker Robert Wilson, thus created a vast music-dramatic panorama of current subjects in a distinctive new visual language. In Akhnaten, the young Pharaoh Akhenaten comes to power following the death of his father, accompanied by his wife Nefertiti—the one from the beautiful bust in Berlin. After his coronation, he abolishes all the old gods to introduce a new religion. This is to the dismay of the priests, who bring about his downfall.

Minimalist idiom

Glass employs his familiar minimalist idiom here, combined with overwhelming choral and dance scenes. The title role is written for a countertenor, which reinforces the special status of the Pharaoh. Nefertiti, on the other hand, is sung by an alto, causing the vocal colors of this pair, together with Mother Tye's soprano part, to blend in a unique way. The conductor and a number of soloists, including title performer Anthony Roth Costanzo, also participated in the final performance of this opera at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.