13. Akhnaten - Philip Glass [1983]

Synopsis.

Akhenaten. 18th dynasty Pharaoh. Rules seventeen years, causing religious kerfuffle by introducing monotheistic worship of Aten, the sun god. The priesthood gets mardy and it doesn't take.

Akhnaten is the last installment of Glass's portrait trilogy, bringing warmth and depth to the cold precision of Einstein on the Beach and a grittier 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

Oddi wrth y brawd