So what are you doing this weekend? SFist is going to catch the Oakland Opera's performance of "Akhnaten" with The Standing Room.

Philip Glass writes the minimalist music that drove you crazy in "the Hours," the works of Errol Morris, and, most famously, "Koyaanisqatsi" ("Kooooooo-yaaaaaanis-qaaaaaaatsi......."). "Akhnaten" is part of a trilogy of operas that Glass wrote, along with "Einstein on the Beach" and "Satyagraha," and tells the story of Egyptian king Akhnaten, who was married to Nefertiti and who attempted (and failed) to revolutionize the ancient Egyptians' polytheism for a monotheist religion. (King Akhnaten also appears to be referred to in places as "Akhenatan" as well).

Glass has stated that in this trilogy, Einstein represents the man of science, Satyagraha (which is about Gandhi) the man of politics, and Akhnatan the man of religion. Plus, the songs are all sung in Egyptian, Akkadian, and Hebrew, which will make extra fun humming as we leave the theater!