Theater Heidelberg presents: Echnaton
A collaboration between Musiktheater and Dance Company Nanine Linning / Theater Heidelberg

In his third portrait opera, American composer Philip Glass reaches far back to the time of the revolutionary pharaoh Akhenaten, who did the world shake in its foundations by declaring light god Aton to be the one and only god, thereby »inventing« monotheism. He and his spouse Nefertiti put family at the center of their value system and supported new artistic means of expression. Being both a revolutionary and a power-craving ruler, directly after his demise he was wiped out of history.

Glass – most important representative of the so-called »minimal music« – draws from mental notes and old citations a thorough character sketch of the legendary pharaoh. Nanine Linning in turn dedicates a truly monumental production to his rise and fall. 6 opera soloists, 11 dancers, a 37-person choir and the Philharmonic Orchestra breathe new life into this rarely staged opera, incorporating fine video art and a both colossal and delicate stage set. Audience and press shared the same enthusiastic reactions: Echnaton is »a cult performance«, according to Frankfurter Rundschau; Opernwelt speaks of a »coup with high cult potential« regarding a performance »overwhelming eyes and ears«. Fuldaer Zeitung goes as far as to state that Linning’s »concepts and productions are among the most innovative and interesting signatures one can experience in the field of dance and theater in Central Europe.«

Further press about Echnaton

 “As a stage director and choreographer of the opera ECHNATON by Philip Glass, Nanine Linning created with orchestra, choir, dancers, actors, singers, video projections, costumes and set design, a fabulous multidisciplinary work of art.” Mannheimer Morgen about Echnaton 2014 

 “This moving and vivid stage direction is so far Linnings’ highlight in her creative period in Heidelberg.”

Opernwelt about ECHNATON 2014

 “Her stage direction of ECHNATON, a total experience of dance, opera and dazzling images is of an opulence, magic and magnificence from which you can not escape.” Mannheimer Morgen about ECHNATON 2014

 “The audience bursts into a frantic applause. It rains Bravo’s. Flowers are flying around, filling the stage. Minutes long. And when Linning enters the stage this delighted audience becomes even more enthousiastic. It’s clear: ECHNATON is theatre at its best.”Mannheimer Morgen about ECHNATON 2014