Nixon in China?

[romgitsean]

Posted: 2/18/11 at 5:07pm

So, I saw some ads for it...gotta say it looks pretty ridiculous. Beautifully staged...but ridiculous. Has anyone seen this?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/18/11 at 5:18pm

Ridiculous in what way? Its a modern opera based on contemporary subject matter but while parts of it are over the top - its no more ridiculous a concept than say EVITA or FELA and in execution is often just as thrilling.

The production at the MET is excellent. It was a treat seeing John Adamas conduct his own opera and the principal performances (especially Janis Kelly who also does a lot of musical theatre in the UK) were all outstanding.

If you are curious about the opera itself, the original production 25 years ago in Houston (that this production is based on) was broadcast on PBS and is available to watch on youtuble

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/18/11 at 5:19pm

I saw the original production in the 80s, which was televised on PBS. It is an extraordinary piece of work. It was the inaugural performance for the Wortham Theatre Center in Houston and the Houston Grand Opera's production of it was epic and I believe it is considered something of a milestone in contemporary opera.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/19/11 at 5:00am

Agreed. It's a brilliant piece. It's one of the few modern operas to enter the standard repetory world-wide.

[PopAria]

Posted: 2/19/11 at 11:11am

can't wait to see it tonight.

It's a little bit historic that John Adams is conducting this himself.

[D2]

Posted: 2/19/11 at 11:51am

I'm seeing it tonight, too.

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 2/19/11 at 12:48pm

I've met the librettist - one of the loveliest ladies you could ever meet. Thrilled by the renewed interest in the piece.
Updated On: 2/20/11 at 12:48 PM

[canmark]

Posted: 2/19/11 at 12:53pm

Nixon in China is being presented by the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto this month, as well.

http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1011Season/NixonInChina.aspx

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 8:35am

HistoryBoy2, Alice Goodman's libretto for Nixon in China is the BEST libretto I have encountered in opera, certainly in the English language. So many moments remain riveted in my memory because of her words - the scene with Richard and Pat before they attend the banquet, his nostalgia for his youth as he sits on the bed, the brilliant long scene with Nixon, Mao and Henry Kissinger. It's all genius.

In this great opera the words are the equal of the music and that's saying something.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 10:21am

I listened to this courtesy of Sirius Satellite last weekend and was blown away by the vocals. Yeah, it's a bit...um...out there, but it's worth every minute!!

[jv92]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 11:08am

It's a thrilling concept, and I appreciate the work, but I can't call it one of my favorites. I'm more at home with Carlisle Floyd.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 11:39am

I saw it last week. It was friggin awesome.... it actually gave me nightmares i was so haunted by it. And yeah, it was epic seeing John Adams conduct his own opera.... imagine saying you saw Wagner conduct the ring cycle... unbelievable.....

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 11:51am

How was 'This is Prophetic'? The show-stopper it's meant to be?

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 11:56am

oh my gosh. YES.

PS you can youtube the PBS version from the 80's... it's on there... it's the main reason I decided to go. I heard that lush music and I was like ... damn I betta check that out at the MET. I checked out his other music too. Now I'm a huge John Adams fan, I have to say... he also wrote this piece for 9/11 which he won a pulizter for.... he's pretty epic. I've decided.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 5:47pm

If anyone is interested, some first night reviews can be found here:

http://familycircle.typepad.com/family-circle/2011/02/nixon-in-china-at-the-metropolitan-opera-first-night-reviews.html

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 7:29pm

It's worth seeing just to hear Adams conduct the score, but the cast the Met has assembled is top-notch. Kathleen Kim, a young soprano who's been on the rise at the Met these last few seasons, sings the S-H-I-T out of Madame Mao.