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Akhnaten

Leave your homes, my people. Come see, the old order fades. A new age dawns. Behold, a new power rises. Behold, the sun.

11 Feb – 7 Mar 2019

English National Opera | London Coliseum

Tickets here

Phelim McDermott‘s Olivier Award-winning production of Philip Glass‘s Akhnaten returns to ENO for its first revival, following its sell-out run in 2016.

Akhnaten is a mesmerising work whose text draws on ancient hymns, prayers and inscriptions sung in their original Egyptian, Hebrew and Akkadian. The opera’s unique mood will transport you to the ancient world through music that combines Glass’s characteristic minimalist voice with stylised movement and choreographed juggling to visualise the rhythms of his score.

Philip Glass specialist Karen Kamensek conducts Akhnaten following last season’s Satyagraha revival. Anthony Roth Costanzo returns to ENO in the title role, as do Rebecca Bottone, singing Queen Tye, James Cleverton, Colin Judson and Zachary James. New to the production is Harewood Artist Katie Stevenson as Nefertiti and the bass-baritone Keel Watson as Aye.

‘Musically and visually mesmerising’

★★★★★ The Stage

‘Unforgettable magnificence’

★★★★ The Independent

‘A gloriously coloured eye-catching affair’

★★★★ The Guardian

English National Opera in collaboration with Improbable

Co-production with LA Opera

Creative Team of ENO 2019

Karen Kamensek
Conductor

Phelim McDermott
Director

Tom Pye
Set Designer

Kevin Pollard
Costume Designer

Bruno Poet
Lighting Designer

Sean Gandini
Skills Ensemble Choreographer

Cast of ENO 2019

Anthony Roth Costanzo
Akhnaten

Katie Stevenson
Nefertiti

Rebecca Bottone
Queen Tye

James Cleverton
Horemhab

Keel Watson
Aye

Colin Judson
High Priest of Amon

Zachary James
The Scribe

Charlotte Beament
Daughter of Akhnaten

Hazel McBain
Daughter of Akhnaten

Rosie Lomas
Daughter of Akhnaten

Martha Jones
Daughter of Akhnaten

Angharad Lyddon
Daughter of Akhnaten

First performed by the ENO in March 2016, subsequently performed at LA Opera in November 2016.

Performed by Clive Bayley, Rebecca Bottone, Emma Carrington, James Cleverton, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Zachary James, Colin Judson

Production details:

Running time: 2hrs 50mins

Language: Sung in Egyptian, Hebrew and Akkadian with no surtitles

Conducted by Karen Kamensek
Directed by Phelim McDermott
Designed by Tom Pye
Costume Design by Kevin Pollard
Lighting Designed by Bruno Poet
Choreography by Sean Gandini

  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Anthony Roth Costanzo, Emma Carrington and Rebecca Bottone (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Anthony Roth Costanzo and Zachary James (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
  • Anthony Roth Costanzo (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Akhnaten rehearsals (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Anthony Roth Costanzo (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
  • Emma Carrington (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Photo by Tristram Kenton
  • Anthony Roth Costanzo and Emma Carrington (Photo by Tristram Kenton)




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