Akhnaten NYC Reviews and Tickets

87%

(18 Reviews)

Positive

89%

Mixed

11%

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Great staging, Absorbing, Exquisite, Epic

About the Show

Philip Glass’s opera brings ancient Egypt to vivid life with a troupe of jugglers.

One of Philip Glass’s three large-scale operas based on a “big idea,” in this case monotheism. The work, set during the 17-year reign of Akhnaten, around 1350 B.C.E., deals largely with the unseen forces affecting the inner (psychological), interpersonal (political), and universal (mystical) aspects of existence.

Phelim McDermott’s production brings ancient Egypt to life with striking set and a troupe of jugglers. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo reprises his role as the revolutionary pharaoh Akhnaten, alongside mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb as his wife and queen, Nefertiti. Karen Kamensek conducts.

The opera had its world premiere at Staatsoper Opera in Stuttgart, Germany in 1984.

Member Reviews (18)

Great costumes, Great staging, Disappointing, Very little singing, Clever

See it if you like an opera where there is very little actual singing and definitely not difficult singing. Great staging and costumes.

Don't see it if you like an opera with arias or music that challenges the operatic voice.

Epic, Exquisite, Enchanting, Delightful

See it if A sight to behold! Beautifully produced, not your classic opera.

Don't see it if If you only enjoy classic operas

Epic, Riveting, Must see, Masterful, Great staging

See it if Gorgeous staging. Fascinating and mesmerizing. Glass perfection. The voices, the orchestra, the juggling!

Don't see it if No traditional … be open minded and be transported

100

Thought-provoking, Great staging, Great singing, Exquisite, Absorbing

See it if Brilliant theater and opera (by Glass). Amazing staging and other worldly music. Important concept of a different thinking leader who is

Don't see it if you are put off by the music of Glass or if you need an opera full of action and hummable tunes Read more

Long, but thoroughly bewitching, Mesmerizing joy to watch

See it if Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo repeats breathtaking Akhnaten role from 2019/2020 season. Egypt's transformative 1351–1334 BCE god-king.

Don't see it if You dislike Philip Glass (hard to imagine). His work is unlike that of any other contemporary opera composer. It just elevates and shines. Read more

Ambitious, Entertaining, Great singing, Clever, Absorbing

See it if you like Philip Glass, like juggling, or like big giant spectacle modern opera.

Don't see it if you don’t like Philip Glass, don’t like juggling in operas, or don’t like big giant spectacle modern opera.

Overwhelming, Intense, Slow, Great singing, Confusing

See it if You like Met singing, you enjoy specific directorial choices, you enjoy the history of this period.

Don't see it if You dislike experimental opera, you get easily overwhelmed when a lot is going on, you are looking for a first exposure to opera.

Riveting, Entertaining, Epic

See it if Philip Glass's score is exquisite. The visuals created by the director are stunning. There's lots of awesome juggling!

Don't see it if Don't go if you dislike Glass's music. The story is told in a visual rather than a textual way. Some might find the production slow at times

Critic Reviews (3)

"McDermott’s production similarly exposes its performers: not only the singers but also a dozen jugglers in catsuits, including Sean Gandini, the show’s choreographer. As scrappy as it is ornate, the staging — with imaginative, thrift-store-find costumes by Kevin Pollard and sets to match by Tom Pye, and artful lighting by Bruno Poet — demands the patience and steadiness of yoga in its movement, as well as an active eye for anyone watching."
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"One of the greatest successes of recent Met seasons is Philip Glass's 'Akhnaten', first seen in 2019. I saw it three times that year and fell under its spell each time.It is being revived this season. The Met production has been seen in other venues and is the current gold-standard for the work."
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"With repeated exposure, the brilliance of this score comes into sharper and more heightened focus, as does the certainty that 'Akhnaten' is one of the great traditional operas, albeit in a 'modern' compositional style. As Monteverdi reflected the musical world of his era, so Glass has done since the late 20th century."
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