Akhnaten

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Akhnaten Libretto

SYSTEMACT I

(Year 1 of Akhnaten's Reign Thebes.

The opera begins with an orchestral Prelude.

The curtain rises towards the end of the Prelude,

revealing the Scribe in the funeral setting. He

delivers the Refrain, Verse 1 and Verse 2 of the text

as the Prelude is completed. In the moments of silence

before the funeral begins, he continues his speech

through Verse 3)

Prelude

(Text: Recited by the Scribe from the Pyramid Texts

of the Old Kingdom)

SCRIBERefrain

SCRIBEOpen are the double doors of the horizon

SCRIBEUnlocked are its bolts

SCRIBEVerse 1

SCRIBEClouds darken the sky

SCRIBEThe stars rain down

SCRIBEThe constellations stagger

SCRIBEThe bones of the hell hounds tremble

SCRIBEThe porters are silent

SCRIBEWhen they see this king

SCRIBEDawning as a soul

SCRIBERefrain

repeat above

SCRIBEVerse 2

Men fall

SCRIBETheir name is not

SCRIBESeize thou this king by his arm

SCRIBETake this king to the sky

SCRIBEThat he not die on earth

SCRIBEAmong men

SCRIBERefrain

repeat above

SCRIBEVerse 3

SCRIBEHe flies who flies

SCRIBEThis king flies away from you

SCRIBEYe mortals

SCRIBEHe is not of the earth

SCRIBEHe is of the sky

SCRIBEHe flaps his wings like a zeret bird

SCRIBEHe goes to the sky

SCRIBEOn the wind

SYSTEMScene 1: Funeral of Amenhotep III

SCRIBE(The scene presents the funeral of Akhnaten's father,

Amenhotep III. As the starting point of the opera, it

SCRIBErepresents the historical moment immediately before

SCRIBEthe "Amarna period" or the reign of Akhnaten and

SCRIBEdepicts the society in which the reforms of Akhnaten,

SCRIBEreforms which appeared so extreme that they can

SCRIBEbe called revolutionary, took place. The action of

SCRIBEthe scene centers on the funeral rites of the New

SCRIBEEmpire of the 18th Dynasty. It is dominated by the

SCRIBEAmon priests and appears as ritual of extraordinary

SCRIBEtraditional character drawn from The Egyptian Book

of the Dead. The funeral cortege enters downstage

SCRIBEled by two drummers and followed by a small body

of Amon priests who in turn are led by Aye, father

SCRIBEof Nefertiti, advisor to the recently dead pharaoh,

SCRIBEand the Pharaoh to be)

FUNERAL CHORUS(Text sung in Egyptian by the from Budge,

FUNERAL CHORUSThe Egyptian Book of the Dead)

FUNERAL CHORUSAnkh ankh, en mitak

FUNERAL CHORUSYewk er heh en heh

FUNERAL CHORUSAha en heh

FUNERAL CHORUS(As the music goes to the cellos alone, the deceased

Amenhotep III enters behind the procession. He

FUNERAL CHORUSappears to be headless and is holding his head in

FUNERAL CHORUShis hands. The music for orchestra, small chorus and

FUNERAL CHORUSsolo bass voice (Aye) resumes)

SMALL CHORUS(Text sung in Egyptian by from Budge, The

SMALL CHORUSEgyptian Book of the Dead)

SMALL CHORUSYa inen makhent en Ra,

SMALL CHORUSrud akit em mehit

SMALL CHORUSem khentik er she nerserser

SMALL CHORUSem netcher khert

SMALL CHORUS(During the next section for orchestra alone, the

SMALL CHORUSfuneral cortege, Amon priests and Amenhotep III,

SMALL CHORUSmoves upstage. Akhnaten and the people of Thebes

SMALL CHORUSjoin Aye downstage. In the final section of the funeral,

SMALL CHORUSthe people of Thebes and Aye join the orchestra in a

SMALL CHORUSlast salute to the departing Amenhotep III)

CHORUSYa, inen makhent en Ra, etc.

CHORUSAnkh ankh, en mitak, etc.

SYSTEMScene2: The Coronation of Akhnaten

CHORUS(The short opening to the second scene show Akhnaten

alone as the Scribe, Aye and the people of Thebes leave

CHORUSand the funeral cortege departs. Akhnaten's attendants

CHORUSappear and, by changing his costume, prepare him to

CHORUSreceive the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

CHORUSThere is not singing or narration in this section.

CHORUSThe next section for orchestra accompanies the

CHORUSappearance of the Scribe, the Amon High Priest,

CHORUSAye and Horemhab as well as the people of Thebes.

CHORUSAkhnaten has remained with his attendants.

CHORUSThe following section includes the trio of Amon High

CHORUSPriest, Aye and Horemhab with orchestra. The

CHORUSdramatic intent of this moment is to prepare

CHORUSAkhnaten to receive the double crown)

LARGE CHORUS(Text: Sung in Egyptian by from Budge,

LARGE CHORUSAn Egyptian Reading Book)

LARGE CHORUSYe-nedj hrak yemi em hetepu

LARGE CHORUSNeb aut yeb sekhem kha-u

LARGE CHORUSNeb wereret ka shuti

LARGE CHORUSNefer seshed ka hedjet

LARGE CHORUSMertu netcheru maanek

LARGE CHORUSSekhi men em weptek

LARGE CHORUS(The opening music of the scene recurs as the Scribe

LARGE CHORUSannounces the names and titles of the new Pharaoh.

LARGE CHORUSDuring  this speech  Akhnaten receives  the  double

LARGE CHORUScrown from  the  Amon  High  Priest  assisted by Aye

LARGE CHORUSand Horemhab)

Text Recited from a list of Akhnaten's titles

SCRIBELive the Horus, Strong-Bull-Appearing-as-Justice;

SCRIBEHe of the Two Ladies, Establishing Laws and

SCRIBEcausing the Two-Lands to be Pacified;

SCRIBEHorus of Gold,

SCRIBEMighty-of-Arm-when-He-Smites-the-Asiatics;

SCRIBEKing of Upper and Lower Egypt,

SCRIBENefer Kheperu Ra Wa en Ra,

SCRIBESon of Neb-maet-Ra

Lord of the Truth like Ra

SCRIBESon of Ra, Amenhotep (Amon is pleased)

SCRIBEHek Wase (Ruler of Thebes), Given Life.

SCRIBEMighty Bull, Lofty of Plumes;

SCRIBEFavorite of the Two Godesses,

SCRIBEGreat in Kingship in Karnak;

SCRIBEGolden Hawk,

SCRIBEwearer of Diadems in the Southern Heliopolos;

SCRIBEKing of Upper and Lower Egypt.

SCRIBEBeautiful-is-the-Being of Ra,

SCRIBEThe Only-One-of-Ra,

SCRIBESon of the Sun,

SCRIBEPeace-of-Amon, Divine Ruler of Thebes;

SCRIBEGreat in Duration, Living-for-Ever-and-Ever,

SCRIBEBeloved of Amon-Ra, Lord of Heaven.

LARGE CHORUS(Text: Sung in Egyptian by from Budge,

LARGE CHORUSAn Egyptian Reading Book)

LARGE CHORUSYe-nedj hrak yemi em hetepu

LARGE CHORUSNeb aut yeb sekhem kha-u

LARGE CHORUSNeb wereret ka shuti

LARGE CHORUSNefer seshed ka hedjet

LARGE CHORUSMertu netcheru maanek

LARGE CHORUSSekhi men em weptek

SYSTEMScene 3: The Window of Appearances

LARGE CHORUS(A windowed balcony of the palace used for

LARGE CHORUSstate appearances. The music from the opening

LARGE CHORUSof the coronation scene is heard again, played

LARGE CHORUSon large bells and providing a musical and

LARGE CHORUSdramatic transition to what follows. Akhnaten

LARGE CHORUSis joined by Nefertiti and his mother, Queen Tye.

LARGE CHORUSThey approach the Window of Appearances and

LARGE CHORUSsing, first a solo, then duet, then trio through

LARGE CHORUSthe window. It is a hymn of acceptance and resolve

LARGE CHORUSand, in spirit, announces a new era)

AKHNATEN(Text sung in Egyptian from Budge,

AKHNATENThe Gods of the Egyptians)

AKHNATENTut wu-a yeri enti

AKHNATENWa-a wa-u yeri wenenet

AKHNATENPerer en rem em yertif

AKHNATENKheper netcheru tep ref

AKHENATENYeri semu se-ankh menmen

AKHENATENKhet en ankhu en henmemet

AKHENATENYeri ankh-ti remu en yetru

AKHENATENApdu genekh pet

AKHNATENRedi nefu en enti em suhet

AKHNATENSe-ankh apnentu yeri ankhti khenus

AKHNATENDjedfet puyu mitet yeri

AKHNATENYeri kherti penu em babasen

AKHNATENSe-ankh puyu em khet nebet

AKHNATENHrak yeri

AKHNATENEnen er a-u

AKHNATEN(The music continues with full orchestra. Tye and

Nefertiti leave Akhnaten alone. He stands gazing

AKHNATENat the distant funeral cortege floating on barques

AKHNATENacross a mythical river to the Land of the Dead)

SYSTEMACT II

Years 5 To 15 Thebes and Akhetaten

SYSTEMScene 1: The Temple

AKHNATEN(The scene begins with a short introduction for

AKHNATENorchestra. We then see an Amon temple and a

AKHNATENsmall group of Amon priests led by their High

AKHNATENPriest. They sing a hymn to Amon)

AMON PRIESTS(Text sung in Egyptian from Gardiner,

AMON PRIESTS"The So-Called Tomb of Queen Tye",

AMON PRIESTSJournal of Egyptian Archaeology)

AMON PRIESTSAmen men khet nebet

AMON PRIESTSYa-u-nek em em djed

AMON PRIESTSSen er ayu

AMON PRIESTSNek henu nek en

AMON PRIESTSEn wered ek imen

AMON PRIESTS(The following orchestral section introduces Akhnaten,

AMON PRIESTSQueen Tye and a small party of followers, Aten priests,

AMON PRIESTSsoldiers, etc, of the new order. After surrounding the

AMON PRIESTStemple, Atenists, led by Akhnaten and Queen Tye, attack

AMON PRIESTSit. Here we see Akhnaten for the first time as the rebel

AMON PRIESTShe was, venting his hatred if the old order on the Amon

AMON PRIESTStemple. The attack is complete, and the roof of the

AMON PRIESTStemple is pulled off as the light of "the Aten" pours

AMON PRIESTSinto what once was the "holy of holies." The attackers

AMON PRIESTSsing a vocalise, no words being necessary here)

SYSTEMScene 2: Akhnaten and Nefertiti

AMON PRIESTS(An orchestral transition prepares the scene, which

AMON PRIESTSis devoted entirely to a duet between Akhnaten and

AMON PRIESTSNefertiti.

AMON PRIESTSWith the introduction of the solo trombone, the Scribe

AMON PRIESTSbegins reciting a poem. The first time we hear the poem

AMON PRIESTSit is as if addressed to a god.

AMON PRIESTSWith the entrance of the strings, the poem is heard

AMON PRIESTSagain, this time spoken as an exchange between two

AMON PRIESTSlovers. During this second reading, Akhnaten and

AMON PRIESTSNefertiti appear. There follows the duet between the

AMON PRIESTStwo, not alone together. The vocal text is the same

AMON PRIESTSpoem sung in Egyptian.

AMON PRIESTSAt the end of the duet the music returns to the orchestra

AMON PRIESTSalone. There is a brief pause, then Akhnaten and

AMON PRIESTSNefertiti resume singing while behind them is seen the

AMON PRIESTSfuneral cortege in a later stage of its journey, this time

AMON PRIESTSascending on wings of large birds to the heavenly land

AMON PRIESTSof Ra)

SCRIBE(Text recited and then sung in Egyptian, a love poem

SCRIBEfound in a royal mummy of the Armarna period, from

SCRIBEJournal of Egyptian Archæology, translated by Sir Alan

SCRIBEGardiner)

SCRIBESesenet neftu nedjem

SCRIBEPer em rek

SCRIBEPeteri nefruk em menet

SCRIBETa-i nehet sedj emi

SCRIBEKheruk nedjem en mehit

SCRIBERenpu ha-i em ankh

SCRIBEen mertuk.

SCRIBEDi-ek eni awik kher ka-ek

SCRIBEShesepi su ankhi yemef

SCRIBEI ashek reni er heh

SCRIBEBen hehif em rek

SYSTEMScene 3: The City

SCRIBE(The Scribe speaks the first part of this scene alone,

SCRIBEwithout musical accompaniment. His speech is taken

SCRIBEfrom the boundary markers or stelæ of Akhnaten's new

SCRIBEcity, Akhetaten, The Horizon of the Aten. During his

SCRIBEspeech, Akhetaten - a new city of light and open spaces

SCRIBEthat represents architecturally and visually the spirit of

SCRIBEthe epoch of Akhnaten - appears behind him)

SCRIBE(Text recited from the boundary markers found in

SCRIBEthe valley at Tel-el-Amarna, in Breasted, A History

SCRIBEof Egypt)

SCRIBEStela 1

SCRIBEAnd his majesty said unto them, "Ye behold the

SCRIBECity of the Horizon of the Aten, which the Aten

SCRIBEhas desired me to make for him as a monument

SCRIBEin the great name of my majesty forever. For it

SCRIBEwas the Aten, my Father, that brought me to this

SCRIBECity of the Horizon. There was not a noble who

SCRIBEdirected me to it; there was not any man in the

SCRIBEwhole land who led me to it, saying, 'It is fitting

SCRIBEfor his majesty that he make a City of the Horizon

SCRIBEof Aten in this place.' Nay, but it was the Aten,

SCRIBEmy Father, that directed me to make it for him.

SCRIBEBehold the Pharaoh found that this site belonged

SCRIBEnot to a god, nor to a goddess, it belonged not to

SCRIBEa prince nor to a princess. There was no right for

SCRIBEany man to act as owner of it.

SCRIBEStela 2

SCRIBEI will make the City of the Horizon of the Aten for

SCRIBEthe Aten, my Father, in this place. I will not make the

SCRIBEcity south of it, north of it, west of it or east of it. I

SCRIBEwill not pass beyond the southern boundary stone

SCRIBEsouthward, neither will I pass beyond the northern

SCRIBEboundary stone northward to make for him a City

SCRIBEof the Horizon there; neither will I make for him

SCRIBEa city on the western side. Nay, but I will make

SCRIBEthe City of the Horizon for the Aten, my Father,

SCRIBEupon the east side, the place for which he did

SCRIBEenclose for his own self with cliffs, and made a

SCRIBEplain in the midst of it that I might sacrifice to him

SCRIBEthereon: this is it.

SCRIBENeither shall the Queen say unto me, Behold there is

SCRIBEa goodly place for the City of the Horizon in another

SCRIBEplace', and I harken unto her. Neither shall any noble

SCRIBEnor any man in the whole land say unto me, `Behold

SCRIBEthere is a goodly place for the City of the Horizon in

SCRIBEanother place', and I harken unto them. Whether it be

SCRIBEdownstream or southward or westward or eastward, I

SCRIBEwill not say, `I will abandon this City of the Horizon.

SCRIBEDance

SCRIBE(The dance, which immediately follows the brass

SCRIBEfanfare, contrasts with the heavy traditional ritual

SCRIBEof the temple scene which opened this act. Musicians,

SCRIBEtriangle, wood block, tambourine, appear on stage with

SCRIBEdancers, as well as Akhnaten and principal members of

SCRIBEhis entourage, in a dance that marks the celebration

SCRIBEand inauguration of the city of Akhetaten)

SYSTEMScene 4: Hymn

SCRIBE(The music that follows the dance is taken from the

SCRIBEorchestral introduction to the coronation scene and

SCRIBEserves as preparation for Akhnaten's "Hymn to the

SCRIBEAten". At its conclusion, Akhnaten is left alone.

SCRIBEThe "Hymn to the Aten" is a central moment of the

SCRIBEopera. In it, Akhnaten espouses in his own words

SCRIBEthe inspiration for his religious and social reforms.

SCRIBEThe Hymn is sung in the language of the audience)

SCRIBEHymn to the Aten

AKHNATEN(Text sung in English from Winton Thomas's

AKHNATENEnglish translation published in Documents

AKHNATENfrom Old Testament Times)

AKHNATENThou dost appear beautiful

AKHNATENOn the horizon of heaven

AKHNATENOh, living Aten

AKHNATENHe who was the first to live

AKHNATENWhen thou hast risen on the Eastern Horizon

AKHNATENThou art fair, great, dazzling,

AKHNATENHigh above every land

AKHNATENThy rays encompass the land

AKHNATENTo the very end of all thou hast made.

AKHNATENAll the beasts are satisfied with their pasture

AKHNATENTrees and plants are verdant

AKHNATENBirds fly from their nests, wings spread

AKHNATENFlocks skip with their feet

AKHNATENAll that fly and alight

AKHNATENLive when thou hast arisen.

AKHNATENHow manifold is that which thou hast made

AKHNATENThou sole God

AKHNATENThere is no other like thee

AKHNATENThou didst create the earth

AKHNATENAccording to thy will

AKHNATENBeing alone, everything on earth

AKHNATENWhich walks and flies on high.

AKHNATENThy rays nourish the fields

When thou dost rise

AKHNATENThey live and thrive for thee

AKHNATENThou makest the seasons to nourish

AKHNATENAll thou hast made

AKHNATENThe winter to cool

AKHNATENThe heat that they may taste thee.

AKHNATENThere is no other that knows thee

AKHNATENSave thy son, Akhnaten

AKHNATENFor thou hast made him skilled

AKHNATENIn thy plans and thy might

AKHNATENThou dost raise him up for thy son

AKHNATENWho comes forth from thyself.

(At the close of the Hymn, Akhnaten leaves the stage

AKHNATENdeserted, and the act ends with distant voices singing)

CHORUS(Text sung in Hebrew by Offstage Chorus, from

CHORUSPsalm 104, Hebrew Bible, Masoretic text)

CHORUSMa rab-bu ma-a-se-kha ha-shem

CHORUSKu-lam be-khokh-ma a-sita

CHORUSMa-le-a ha-a-rets kin-ya-ne-kha

CHORUSO-te or ka-sal-ma

CHORUSNo-te sha-ma-yim ka-yi-ri-a

CHORUSTa-shet kho-shekh vi-hi lay-la

CHORUSBo tir-mis kol khay-to ya-ar

repeat first three lines

SYSTEMACT III

Year 17 And The Present - Akhetaten

SYSTEMScene 1: The Family

CHORUS(The stage is divided, one side showing a room in the

CHORUSpalace in which can be seen Akhnaten, Nefertiti and

CHORUStheir Six Daughters. Outside the palace, on the other

CHORUSside of the stage, are the people of Egypt, soldiers,

CHORUSoutlawed priests of Amon and the Scribe. The opening

CHORUSof the scene depicts Akhnaten and his family in a

CHORUSmoment of intimacy, oblivious to the crowd outside.

CHORUSAs they sing to each other a sweet, wordless song, it

CHORUSis apparent that in their closeness they have become

CHORUSisolated from the outside world.

CHORUSThe focus shifts to the people outside the palace.

The Scribe, drawing on tablets known as the Amarna

CHORUSLetters that were sent to Akhnaten from Syrian princes,

CHORUSbegins to incite the crowd, which presses toward

CHORUSthe palace and becomes increasingly restless)

SCRIBE(Text recited from the Amarna Letters as cited

SCRIBEin Mercer, The Tel-el-Amarna Tablets)

SCRIBELetter No. 1:

SCRIBEI have written repeatedly for troops, but they

SCRIBEwere not given and the king did not listen to

SCRIBEthe word of his servant. And I sent my messenger

SCRIBEto the palace, but he returned empty-handed -

SCRIBEhe brought no troops. And when the people

SCRIBEof my house saw this, they rediculed me like

SCRIBEthe governors, my brethren, and dispised me.

SCRIBELetter No. 2:

SCRIBEThe king's whole land, which has begun hostilities

SCRIBEwith me, will be lost. Behold the territory of Seir,

SCRIBEas far as Carmel; its princes are wholly lost; and

SCRIBEhostilities prevail against me. As long as ships were

SCRIBEupon the sea the strong arm of the king occupied

SCRIBENaharin and Kash, but now the Apiru are occupying

SCRIBEthe king's cities. There remains not one prince to

SCRIBEmy lord, the king; every one is ruined. Let the king

SCRIBEtake care of his land and let him send troops. For

SCRIBEif no troops come in this year, the whole territory

SCRIBEof my lord, the king, will perish. If there are no

SCRIBEtroops in this year, let the king send his officer to

SCRIBEfetch me and his brothers, that we may die with

SCRIBEour lord, the king.

SCRIBELetter No. 3:

SCRIBEVerily, they father did not march forth nor inspect

SCRIBEthe lands of the vassal-princes. And when thou

SCRIBEascended the throne of thy father's house,

SCRIBEAbdashirta's sons took the king's lands for

SCRIBEthemselves. Creatures of the king of Mittani

SCRIBEare they, and of the king of Babylon and of

SCRIBEthe king of the Hittites.

SCRIBELetter No. 4

SCRIBEWho formerly could have plundered Tunip without

SCRIBEbeing plundered by Thutmose III? The gods of the

SCRIBEking of Egypt, my lord, dwell in Tunip. May my lord

SCRIBEask his old men if this not be so. Now, however, we

SCRIBEbelong no more to our lord, the king of Egypt. And

now Tunip, thy city, weeps and her tears are flowing

SCRIBEand there is not help for us. For twenty years we have

SCRIBEbeen sending to our lord, the king of Egypt, but there

SCRIBEhas not come to us a word - no, not one.

SCRIBE(The scene shifts back to the palace. This time

SCRIBEAkhnaten is alone with his two eldest daughters.

SCRIBEThey continue to sing, appearing more withdrawn

SCRIBEand isolated from the events outside)

SYSTEMScene 2: Attack and Fall

SCRIBE(Horemhab, Aye and the Amon High Priest push to the

SCRIBEfront of the crowd and also begin to rouse the people,

SCRIBELarge Chorus. The principals and chorus sing a text

SCRIBEtaken from the Amarna Letters. Soon the palace is

SCRIBEsurrounded.

SCRIBEFinally, the mob bursts through the palace doors and

windows in a wave of shouts, overwhelming Akhnaten

SCRIBEand his remaining family and carying them off)

HOREMHAB(Text sung in Akkadian from Mercer, The

HOREMHABTel-el-Amarna Tablets)

HOREMHABLim-lik-mi sha-ri a-na ma-ti-shu

HOREMHABKhal-kat mat sha-ri Ga-ba-sha

HOREMHABTsa-na-ta-ni nu-kur-tu a-na ya-shi

HOREMHABA-di ma-ta-ti She-eri Gin-Ti-kir-mil

HOREMHABshal-nu a-na gab-bi kha-zi-a-nu-ti

HOREMHABu nu-kur-tu a-na ya-shi.

HOREMHABIp-sha-ti e-nu-ma a-mel a-mi-ri

HOREMHABu-l a-mar i-na sha-ri be-li-ya

HOREMHABki nu-kur-tu

HOREMHABa-na mukh-khi-ya shak-na-ti

HOREMHABE-nu-ma e-lip-pa i-na lib-bi tam-ti

HOREMHABkat sha-ri dan-na-tu

HOREMHABTi-lik-ki Nakh-ri-ma u kapa-si

HOREMHABu i-nan-na a-la-ni sha-ri

HOREMHABTi-li-ki-u Kha-bi-ru

HOREMHABYa-nu-mi ish-ten kha-zi-a-nu

HOREMHABa-na sha-ri be-li-ya khal-ku gab-bu

SYSTEMScene 3: The Ruins

HOREMHAB(In the silence at the close of the last scene, the

HOREMHABScribe appears out of the chaos to announce the

HOREMHABend of Akhnaten's reign)

Text recited from Aye's tomb

SCRIBEThe sun of him who knew thee not

SCRIBEHas set, O Amon.

SCRIBEBut, as for him who knows thee,

SCRIBEHe shines.

SCRIBEThe temple of him who assailed

SCRIBEThee is in darkness,

SCRIBEWhile the whole earth is in

SCRIBESunlight.

SCRIBEWho so puts thee in his heart,

SCRIBEO Amon,

SCRIBELo, his sun hath risen.

SCRIBE(The next section for orchestra and the Scribe is

SCRIBEa reprise, in shortened form, of the opening Prelude.

SCRIBEIt serves as a transition to the present day and is

SCRIBEdivided as follows:

SCRIBEThe Scribe describes the rebuilding of the Amon

temples after the fall of Akhnaten)

Text recited from Tutankhamen's tomb

SCRIBEThe new ruler, performing benefactions for his

SCRIBEfather Amon and all the gods, has made what was

SCRIBEruined to endure as a monument for the ages of

SCRIBEeternity, and he has expelled the great criminal and

SCRIBEjustice was established. He surpassed what has been

SCRIBEdone previously. He fashioned his father Amon upon

SCRIBEthirteen carrying poles, his holy image being of fine

SCRIBEgold, lapis lazuli, and every august costly stone,

SCRIBEwhereas the majesty of this august god had been

SCRIBEupon eleven carrying poles.

SCRIBEAll the property of the temples has been doubled and

SCRIBEtripled and quadrupled in silver, gold, lapis lazuli,

SCRIBEevery kind of august costly stone, royal linen, white

SCRIBElinen, fine linen, olive oil, gum, fat, incense, myrrh,

SCRIBEwithout limit to any good thing. His majesty, Life!

SCRIBEProsperity! Health! has built their barques upon the

SCRIBEriver of new cedar from the terraces. They make the

SCRIBEriver shine.

SCRIBE(The orchestral music becomes very full and no action

SCRIBEis indicated. Finally the city of Akhetaten appears as it

SCRIBEexists in the present: a ruined city, recently excavated,

SCRIBEthe walls barely three feet high at most.

SCRIBESeveral groups of tourists wander through the ruins

SCRIBEtaking photos, exploring, looking about.

SCRIBEThe last group of tourists is led by the Scribe, now

SCRIBEappearing as a twentieth-century tour guide describing

SCRIBEto the group what they are seeing)

SCRIBE(Text recited from Frommer's Guide to Egypt, and

SCRIBEFodor's Egypt)

SCRIBETo reach Tel-el-Amarna, drive eight miles south

of Mallawi to the point where you cross the Nile.

SCRIBEOn the east side of the Nile the distance is less than

SCRIBEa mile and can be covered on foot or on donkey.

SCRIBEBehind the present village, at the ancient site of

SCRIBETel-el-Amarna, the ruins known as the palace of

SCRIBENefertiti are among the very few remnants of the

SCRIBEAkhnaten period. Tablets in cuneiform writing,

SCRIBEwhich contain correspondence between Egypt and

SCRIBESyria, were found here and are now the the Cairo

SCRIBEMuseum. (To see any sights on the Eastern bank

SCRIBEof the river you must cross by ferry which carries

SCRIBEcars along with the usual donkey carts and local

SCRIBEtraffic. The ferry docking station is located at the

SCRIBEsouthern end of the town. You should arrive there

SCRIBEat least one-half hour before the 6:00 AM crossing.

SCRIBEThe ferry does a brisk business and you will need

SCRIBEevery available second for sight seeing.

SCRIBEThere is nothing left of this glorious city of temples and

SCRIBEpalaces. The mud brick buildings have long since

SCRIBEcrumbled and little remains of the immense stone

SCRIBEtemples but the outlines of their floor plans. In addition

SCRIBEto the tombs and ruins of the city, there are several

SCRIBEstelæ scattered around the plain which mark the limits

SCRIBEof the land belonging to the city, most of them are too

SCRIBEwidely scattered to visit and are also in bad condition.

SYSTEMScene 4: Epilogue

SCRIBE(All the tourists have left. The ruined city is empty.

SCRIBEThe ghosts of Akhnaten and the other principals appear

SCRIBEmoving about their now-dead city. Singing parts are

SCRIBEtaken by Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Queen Tye, but they

SCRIBEsing no words. At first they seem not to know that they

SCRIBEand their city all are dead and now a part of the past.

SCRIBEThey become aware of the funeral cortege of

SCRIBEAkhnaten's father (Amenhotep III) moving across the

SCRIBEbackground. They form a procession of their own and,

SCRIBEas the opera ends, can be seen moving off toward the

SCRIBEfirst funeral group still on its journey to the heavenly

SCRIBEland of Ra)