Akhnaten

First act of Akhnaten

Second act of Akhnaten

Third act of Akhnaten

After a prelude that introduces the atmosphere of the opera, shaped by Glass's unmistakable style—a constant flow of hypnotic arpeggios driven by an implacable rhythmic pulse—the first scene of Akhnaten takes place during the funeral of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. In this section, the power of the chorus and the electrifying density of the orchestra are reinforced by a commanding percussion section, through which Glass sought to imagine, drawing on the musicological research available to him, what the ritual music of ancient Egypt might have sounded like—reimagined, of course, through his own distinctly minimalist musical language.

Against a deep red backdrop, Pharaoh Akhnaten and his wife, Nefertiti, embark on a new chapter of their reign: Aten becomes Egypt's sole god, and the construction of the City of the Horizon is underway. The result is a majestic celebration of political power, religious fervour, and the love that binds the royal couple. This scene takes the form of a duet for countertenor and mezzo-soprano of extraordinary difficulty, as it lies in a very high vocal register and is accompanied by a monumental orchestral texture that steadily increases in intensity, culminating in an explosive climax of ecstasy.

Once the City of the Horizon, dedicated to the god Aten, has been completed, Akhnaten addresses the sun in prayer. This section of the libretto is inspired by an inscription discovered among the ruins of Al-Amarna, which archaeologists believe may have been written by the Pharaoh himself. It is also the protagonist's principal scene: an extended passage for countertenor that brings together the many emotions defining Akhnaten—faith bordering on fanaticism, but also the yearning to attain a sublime state of union with the sun—supported, naturally, by a radiant orchestral accompaniment.