Opera For Everyone Ep. 64 Akhnaten By Glass
Nov 21, 2019
Dive into the turbulent world of Akhnaten, the Pharaoh who dared to shift from polytheism to monotheism. Explore Philip Glass's innovative opera that blends ancient texts with modern sounds, highlighting Akhenaten's complex identity and turbulent reign. The discussion delves into themes of gender and familial dynamics, the unique orchestration without violins, and the historical context of ancient Egypt. Discover how the opera resonates with contemporary life and the legacy of a visionary who created a city for his god.
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Death in Opera
- Akhenaten, the subject of Philip Glass's opera, dies in the story.
- This opera is one where the body count is high.
Ancient Texts in Libretto
- The opera's libretto uses ancient Egyptian texts, including the Pyramid Texts.
- These texts, inscribed in hieroglyphics, date back thousands of years before the opera's setting.
Historical Setting
- The opera's setting is the 14th century BCE, before the ancient Near East collapse.
- This period predates recognizable history and the development of historical disciplines.