Backdrop image for movie The Metropolitan Opera: Akhnaten

The Metropolitan Opera: Akhnaten (2019)

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.

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Top billed cast

  • Photo of Anthony Roth CostanzoAnthony Roth CostanzoAkhnaten
  • Photo of J’Nai BridgesJ’Nai BridgesNefertiti
  • Photo of Dísella LárusdóttirDísella LárusdóttirQueen Tye
  • Photo of Zachary JamesZachary JamesAmenhotep III / A professor
  • Photo of Richard BersteinRichard BersteinAye
  • Photo of Will LivermanWill LivermanGeneral Horemhab
  • Photo of Aaron BlakeAaron BlakeHigh Priest of Amon
  • Photo of Lindsay OhseLindsay OhseBekhetaten
  • Photo of Karen Chia-ling HoKaren Chia-ling HoMeretaten
  • Photo of Chrystal E. WilliamsChrystal E. WilliamsMaketaten

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