13. Akhnaten - Philip Glass [1983]

Synopsis: Akhenaten, 18th dynasty Pharaoh, rules 17 years, dies circa 1335BC, causes righteous kerfuffle by abandoning polytheism and introducing monotheistic worship centered on sun god Aten. Priests get mardy. It doesn't take.



Commissioned and performed by the Stuttgart State Opera, Akhnaten is the last installment in Glass' portrait opera trilogy, coming on the heels of Einstein on the Beach, and Satyagraha. Akhnaten has more warmth and depth than Einstein's cold precision, and more gritty texture than Satyagraha. 


          Open are the double doors of the horizon,
          Unlocked are its bolts.

          The constellations stagger,
          Clouds darken the sky,
          The stars rain down,
          The bones of the hell hounds tremble,
          The porters are silent when they see this king dawning as a soul.

          Open are the double doors of the horizon,
          Unlocked are its bolts.

- Libretto, Act 1 Prelude, Refrain, Verse 1, Verse 2

Portentous.

Oddi wrth y brawd


[Bonus Horse Opera in Comments]