Ancient outlier: Phillip Glass’ mystical, trance-like opera Akhnaten transcends time to explore the life and psyche of the 13th-century B.C. pharaoh of ancient Egypt. The Met Live in HD’s premiere illuminates the fundamental ways that Akhnaten tried to change the way his people thought about their gods and spirituality by using creative lighting, soaring orchestral arrangements, and acrobatics. It’s part of the composer’s series dedicated to understanding radical men who thought differently than others of their time, and reviewers have called the show, led by acclaimed countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, “fabulously beautiful” with a “haunting impact.”
Related stories
The Elixir of Love
Inspired by Le Philtre, premiered at the Paris Opera in 1831, The Elixir of Love uncorks a romantic drama in the Italian countryside. The contemporary libretto is written by Felice Romani and stars a cheap bottle of red wine as the agent to activate affection. Nemorino, roused by the wine and blinded by love, boldly […]
Shakespeare at the Ruins
Experience the magic of Shakespeare at the Ruins, set among the historic remains of Governor James Barbour’s mansion, designed by Thomas Jefferson and destroyed by fire in 1884. Following a short hiatus due to wear and tear, the summer tradition (launched in 1990) returns with a performance of The Comedy of Errors, a collaboration between […]
Lust for Lana dance party
Get your dreamy, vintage groove on in tribute to pop queen Lana Del Rey at the Lust for Lana Dance Party, a rave-inspired evening for the coquette set. The soiree revolves around Del Rey’s Lust For Life album, released in 2017, and the promotional tour that followed. Baltimore sound and visual artist Amy Reid provides […]
