A breathtaking minimalist work based on the life of Akhnaten first performed in 1983. The libretto based on excerpts of ancient texts, including the Hebrew Bible and the Egyptian Book of the Dead, is sung in the original languages, including Ancient Egyptian, Akkadian and Hebrew. Using Glass's minimalist music of layered repeated notes, a large percussion section and no violins, the score has a magical, ethereal quality... Performances are still rare and a full professional production is not yet available on DVD but the work is gradually finding a place in the repertoire.
Here is Phelim McDermott's gorgeous production for the English National Opera starring countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo from March this year.
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