Not knowing the opera very well, I wasn't terribly bothered by this staging. I highly recommend the full-length recording somewhere else on YT that someone made of the radio broadcast of this Live in HD broadcast. Her technique is dazzling. Brian Jagde as Alvaro is a standout as well.
Let’s face the facts. The idolatrous praise that some of us heap on Akhnaten tends to alienate others. Numerous subscribers at a recent HD screening walked away muttering. Many of them made fun of Glass’s style and commented that fans must have drunk some mind-altering Kool-Aid. At the beginning of Akhnaten, ten minutes of repetitions of a simple four-note motif take place before any musical development starts. For me, this is mesmerizing. But non-believers think that those who adore Philip Glass are delusional.
Having and showing a passionate enthusiasm for anything shouldn’t put others off and alienate them?!? How ridiculous! Glass’ music divides- so what..?!? When people have no appreciation for something and then see others drunk or high on the very thing they don’t understand or moves them, then they will say anything. But who cares? More seats, tickets and opportunities to see and hear what you love. It’s like being accused of being in a cult - just do your thing and care less about others. Some of us are not bothered that our likes and desires, our passions and activities are not mainstream and enjoyed by the masses. This whole opera, every second of it transports me to ancient Egypt through the rhythms, the beats, and the repetition and motifs. Just love it.
Saw the reprise in 2022 at the Met. The closing of Act II with Hymn to the Sun might be the greatest stage spectacle I will ever witness. The music, the singing, the pacing, the ascent and the striking image of the sun. An absolute triumph of performance art!
I thank You Hashem I gratefully thank You, O living and eternal King, for You have returned my soul within me with compassion - abundant is Your faithfulness!
AKHNATEN (Text sung in English from Winton Thomas's English translation published in Documents from Old Testament Times) Thou dost appear beautiful On the horizon of heaven Oh, living Aten He who was the first to live When thou hast risen on the Eastern Horizon Thou art fair, great, dazzling, High above every land Thy rays encompass the land To the very end of all thou hast made. All the beasts are satisfied with their pasture Trees and plants are verdant Birds fly from their nests, wings spread Flocks skip with their feet All that fly and alight Live when thou hast arisen. How manifold is that which thou hast made Thou sole God There is no other like thee Thou didst create the earth According to thy will Being alone, everything on earth Which walks and flies on high. Thy rays nourish the fields When thou dost rise They live and thrive for thee Thou makest the seasons to nourish All thou hast made The winter to cool The heat that they may taste thee. There is no other that knows thee Save thy son, Akhnaten For thou hast made him skilled In thy plans and thy might Thou dost raise him up for thy son Who comes forth from thyself.
