MIDDLEBURY — The Metropolitan Opera presents Philip Glass’s modern masterpiece “Akhnaten” live in HD on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. The screening will take place in Middlebury at the Town Hall Theater.
“Akhnaten” explores the life of the avant-garde pharaoh, who introduced the concept of monotheism to ancient Egypt, using texts drawn from ancient hymns, prayers, letters, and inscriptions — sung in their original languages set to Glass’s distinctive music.
Director Phelim McDermott tackles another one of Philip Glass’s modern masterpieces, with star countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as the revolutionary title ruler who transformed ancient Egypt. To match the opera’s hypnotic, ritualistic music, McDermott offers an arresting vision that includes a virtuosic company of acrobats and jugglers. Karen Kamensek conducts.
The performance of “Akhnaten” on Saturday, November 23, will be transmitted live to more than 2,200 theaters in more than 70 countries as part of the Met’s Live in HD series.
Scott Morrison will give a pre-show talk in the Byers Studio downstairs at 12:15 p.m. with refreshments sponsored by the Opera Company of Middlebury, and the broadcast begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $24, $10 for students and may be purchased at townhalltheater.org, by calling (802) 382-9222, at the THT box office, or at the door an hour before show time.