Singing Archaeology

Focusing on Philip Glass's third opera in his renowned trilogy, this analysis explores the story of an androgynous monarch who instigates radical reforms. John Richardson delves into Glass's innovative approach to music theater and its reflection of contemporary social issues. By employing new theoretical models, he effectively interprets Glass's nontraditional musical syntax, minimalist style, and ambiguous tonality, offering insights into the composer's unique ideational orientation during this period.