No longer booking
  • Venue London Coliseum, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 5 April 2023
  • Running time 2 hours 55 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines Please be aware that this production contains some adult content which may not be suitable for young audiences.

Behold, the power of the Pharaoh.

Phelim McDermott’s magnificent revival of Philip Glass‘ Akhnaten returns to the London Coliseum in 2023.

Award-winning countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo returns to the title role, alongside Chrystal E. Williams as Nefertiti, Haegee Lee as Queen Tye, Keel Watson returning to the role of Aye and Zachary James returning to the role of Scribe. The true sun god returns to the London Coliseum – book your opera tickets now for Philip Glass’s Akhnaten.

An extraordinary work, Akhnaten forms the last of Philip Glass’s trilogy of ‘portrait’ operas in which he looks at figures from the fields of science (Einstein), politics (Gandhi) and religion (Akhnaten). This hypnotically mesmerising work uses texts drawn from ancient hymns, prayers, letters and inscriptions sung in their original Egyptian, Hebrew and Akkadian.

The opera’s unique mood transports audiences to this ancient world through Glass’s music (conducted by the returning Karen Kamensek) that combines his characteristic minimalist voice with stylised movement and choreography, juggling to visualise the rhythms of his score.

Akhnaten plays a limited season from 11 March 2023 until 5 April 2023 at the London Coliseum.

Book tickets to English National Opera productions at the London Coliseum

Divine ruler of Egypt, husband to Nefertiti, father of a new religion.

Akhnaten decrees that the sun god rules supreme, and the old gods must be banished from their temples.

But instead, his people turn upon their Pharaoh as a traitor. Akhnaten must die. Will his new faith live on?

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Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Akhnaten - ENO?

The cast features Anthony Roth Costanzo (Akhnaten), Chrystal E. Williams (Nefertiti), Haegee Lee (Queen Tye), Keel Watson (Aye), Zachary James (Scribe), Benson Wilson (Horemhab), Paul Curievici (High Priest of Amon) and Ellie Neate, Isabelle Peters, Ella Taylor, Felicity Buckland, Sinead O’Kelly and Lauren Young.

Who are the creative team of Akhnaten - ENO?

Directed by Phelim McDermott, Akhnaten is conducted by Karen Kamensek with set design by Tom Pye, costume design by Kevin Pollard, lighting design by Bruno Poet choreography by Sean Gandini.

Important Notes

Sung in Egyptian, Hebrew and Akkadian with no surtitles.

Venue Information

London Coliseum , St. Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Nearest Tube or Train: Leicester Square (Northern line, Piccadilly line), Charing Cross (Northern line, Bakerloo line), Embankment (Northern line, Bakerloo line, District line, Circle line)

Nearest Buses: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Akhnaten - ENO

★★★★ ‘An inspired marriage of sight and sound’ - The Independent

★★★★ 'Sensuous and glittering' - Evening Standard

★★★★ 'A mesmerising spectacle' - The Arts Desk

Frequently Asked Questions

Akhnaten - ENO is playing at the London Coliseum in London
The running time of Akhnaten - ENO is 2 hours 55 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for Akhnaten - ENO are: Please be aware that this production contains some adult content which may not be suitable for young audiences.
Yes, Akhnaten - ENO has matinee performances on the following days:
No, sorry, Akhnaten - ENO has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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