~The Portals Of Eternity~
Some photos from our 2021 live performance The Portals Of Eternity
Based on ancient Egyptian mythology, this is a story about the importance of resurrection and rebirth, the acceptance of fate and destiny, the battle between the heart and soul, the will and the ego. It is natural for beings to the ignore reality of death, but the cycle of life, death and rebirth must be maintained at all costs. According to the Egyptian Book Of The Dead all beings must pass through the Portals Of Eternity so as to be born anew in the Netherworld.
Performance was at the National Opera Center on Oct. 27th, 2021 funded by a NY City Artists Corp Grant
Photos, Ren Garzcynski
Deborah Karpel reciting the ancient Egyptian love poem
'On The Far Shore Of the Nile'
Thank you Ismail for organizing such a marvelous, inspiring event. Your love for the arts and history brought us all together, and I felt the power of your ideas. It was an honor to be part of this. Thank you to the amazing artists who brought great energy and love to this project. You all impacted me profoundly-really. Everyone made the night magical and I just wanted to thank all of you. God bless you all. Love, Cheryl
Percussionist Casey Bond accompanies Ismail playing the lyre
Sybilla Bakzaza-Dodds as the goddess Nebhet Het
Fatima Rosario Gutierrez as her retainer Wosret
Presenting the forces of the Netherworld
Shieri Yamafuji as the sky goddess Nuut
Cosmic battle, destiny made manifest!
Cheryl Gal-Zur as the dying Imentet
The shock and disbelief of defeat
Terrible sword of Nepthys
The Resurrection
Dorit Elena & Lizza Hasan
In the roles of Nuut's attendants, Maat & Anukis