Performing the Past: Modern Opera and Ancient Egypt

About the event 

This conversation will showcase the interpretation of ancient historical records as a source for living performative art, breaking through institutional walls. The speakers will discuss the challenges of interpreting Philip Glass’ Akhnaten and of embodying an ancient historical figure in a meaningful way for modern audiences, beyond the stereotypes that surround him and his son Tutankhamun.

This event is part of the TORCH Egypt Season.

Image credit: Anthony Roth Costanza as Akhnaten © Paola Kudacki

 Speakers

Anthony Roth Costanzo is a Grammy award winning countertenor and producer, who has starred in Akhnaten at the ENO, London, and the Metropolitan Opera, New York, to international acclaim. He is in Oxford as a TORCH Visiting Fellow.

Richard Bruce Parkinson is Professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford and co-curator of the Bodleian exhibition, Tutankhamun: Excavating the Archive.

 Booking information

Booking is required for this event. Once you have booked your place, the ticketing system will send you an automated confirmation.

 Location

Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG

 Wheelchair access

The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible.

Acknowledgements

The Bodleian Libraries Education Programme is generously supported by The Helen Hamlyn Trust.