Preview: Philip Glass’ Dazzling ‘Akhnaten’ Returns to LA Opera’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Philip Glass’ Akhnaten returns to the LA Opera stage in just a few days, rising again in radiant fashion as the company revives the visually compelling production that enraptured audiences a decade ago. Running Saturday, February 28th through Sunday, March 22nd at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, this long-awaited return invites Southern California audiences back into a captivating world where ancient history, minimalist (but no less splendid) music, and bold theatrical imagination converge and carry over with audience members long after the final bows.

First presented by LA Opera in 2016, the company’s staging of Akhnaten quickly earned a reputation for its striking imagery and immersive scale. Now, ten years later, director Phelim McDermott’s visionary approach returns, offering a fresh opportunity to experience one of Glass’ most celebrated operas. Part of the composer’s portrait trilogy exploring transformative historical figures, Akhnaten examines the enigmatic Egyptian pharaoh who attempted to reshape religious tradition by elevating the worship of a single sun deity. The opera’s meditative score and methodical structure feel remarkably attuned to contemporary audiences, speaking to questions of legacy, power, and cultural upheaval that remain deeply relevant today.

Rather than presenting a conventional biography, Akhnaten unfolds as a series of vivid tableaux tracing the rise and fall of its titular ruler. Glass’ signature understated style drives the narrative forward with pulsing rhythms and layered vocal textures, while the libretto draws on ancient texts and historical fragments where not just English is uttered, but Ancient Egyptian, Biblical Hebrew and Akkadian. The result is an experience that is akin to taking a time machine while a part of one’s being remains grounded in 2026. It’s an otherworldly spectacle that simultaneously demands introspection.

Moreover, this revival again showcases McDermott’s distinctive theatrical language, blending bold choreography, symbolic imagery, and awe-inspiring visual design into a cohesive dramatic vision. Stylized movement animates the stage to the intricate scenic and costume elements that evoke the ineffable grandeur of ancient Egypt. Glass’ music, of course, remains the heartbeat of the evening, performed with precision and clarity under the guidance of LA Opera’s stalwart leadership.

Countertenor John Holiday leads the cast of 13 in the title role, bringing a luminous vocal presence to the enigmatic ruler whose spiritual aspirations reshape an empire. Joining Holiday are, among others, mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce who appears as Nefertiti, soprano So Young Park who portrays the formidable Queen Tye, tenor Yuntong Han who is the High Priest of Amon, bass Vinícius Costa who depicts Aye, Hyungjin Son who inhabits General Horemhab, and Grammy Award–winning bass-baritone Zachary James who reprises his terrific turn as Amenhotep III (originally for the English National Opera), guiding audiences through the opera’s ceremonial arc. Together, the performers comprise a staging that emphasizes both emotional intimacy and mythic scale.

Supporting McDermott is a creative team that helped define the production’s original impact. Finland’s Dalia Stasevska makes her LA Opera debut conducting the arresting score, while scenic designer Tom Pye, costume designer Kevin Pollard, lighting designer Bruno Poet, choreographer Sean Gandini, and chorus director Jeremy Frank unite to recreate a world filled with acrobatic motion, elaborate visual symbolism, and meticulously crafted ritual.

Ten years after its initial Los Angeles run, Akhnaten arrives at a moment when audiences seem increasingly drawn to productions that challenge expectations of what opera can be. And better yet — the historical narrative being told is seamlessly contextualized on a stage that beckons one’s attention unrelentingly over three hours.

All in all, for longtime opera lovers, the revival offers a chance to revisit a landmark production that helped redefine LA Opera’s visual identity. For newcomers, it serves as an accessible entry point into Glass’ hypnotic milieu and the expansive storytelling possibilities of the art form. Suffice it to say, those who missed it the first time will want to ensure they’re in attendance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for what is sure to be a powerful and spellbinding treat.

Cover image caption: John Holiday as Akhnaten, with So Young Park as Queen Tye, in LA Opera’s 2026 production of Akhnaten at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA. Photo is courtesy of Cory Weaver.

LA Opera’s 2026 production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten runs on select dates from Saturday, February 28th through Sunday, March 22nd. For further details and to purchase tickets, visit laopera.org.