LA Opera’s “Akhnaten” Transports Audiences to Ancient Egypt

The Los Angeles Opera’s production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten, running through March 22, 2026, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, offers a visually and aurally immersive experience. The opera tells the story of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhnaten, who challenged the polytheistic religious traditions of his time by introducing the worship of a single god, Aten.

A Unique Operatic Experience

Akhnaten is not a traditional opera in terms of narrative structure. As noted in a review by Stage and Cinema, the opera doesn’t focus on dramatic action but rather on a series of formal rites: birth, coronation, devotion, and collapse. [1] The libretto is sung in ancient Egyptian, Akkadian, and Hebrew, with no surtitles provided, encouraging audiences to focus on the sound and emotional impact of the music rather than literal translation.

The Music and Staging

Composer Philip Glass’s score, the final installment of his portrait trilogy following Einstein on the Beach and Satyagraha, features repeating musical cells and expanding cycles. The LA Opera production, directed by Phelim McDermott, is visually striking, incorporating soaring acrobats, astonishing jugglers, and towering sets. [1] Costumes feature animal heads, exotic plumes, and intricate beadwork, contributing to the opera’s surreal and ritualistic atmosphere.

The Cast and Creative Team

Countertenor John Holiday stars as Akhnaten, with mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as his queen, Nefertiti, and soprano So Young Park as the powerful Queen Tye. Grammy winner Zachary James reprises his role as Amenhotep III. [1] The opera is conducted by Dalia Stasevska.

Aimed at New Audiences

Conductor Dalia Stasevska encourages audiences to approach the opera with an open mind, emphasizing that understanding the language or having prior knowledge of classical music is not necessary to enjoy the performance. [4] She believes the power of the story and the immersive production will resonate with viewers, even those new to opera. [4]

Performance Dates

Akhnaten is playing at the LA Opera through March 22, 2026. Performance dates include: [1]

• Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 PM
• Saturday, March 14, 7:30 PM
• Thursday, March 19, 7:30 PM
• Saturday, March 21, 7:30 PM
• Sunday, March 22, 2:00 PM (Final Performance)

More information and tickets are available at laopera.org.