The Metropolitan Opera: Akhnaten

Philip Glass’ opera “Akhnaten”, premiered in Stuttgart in 1984, forms the third part of the portrait opera trilogy about personalities who have influenced the course of human history. The conclusion of the trilogy deals with the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten, who attempted to establish a kind of monotheistic cult around the god Aton during his reign in the 14th century BC, but failed due to the resistance of the priesthood. The production presented here was undoubtedly one of the very great successes of the 2019/20 season at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, due not only to the outstanding cast of singers (led by countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) but also to Phelim McDermott’s imaginative staging, which captivates with sometimes breathtaking imagery.

Cast

Anthony Roth Costanzo Akhnaten

J’Nai Bridges Nefertiti

Dísella Lárusdóttir Queen Tye

Zachary James Amenhotep III / A professor

Richard Berstein Aye

Will Liverman General Horemhab

Aaron Blake High Priest of Amon

Lindsay Ohse Bekhetaten

Karen Chia-ling Ho Meretaten

Chrystal E. Williams Maketaten

Annie Rosen Ankhesenpaaten

Olivia Vote Neferneferuaten

Metadata from the source database.