Nixon in China

Composer: John Adams
Librettist: Alice Goodman

About Nixon in China:

Nixon in China was John Adams' first opera. It tells the story of then-president Richard Nixon's meetings with Mao Tse-Tung which resulted in the 'opening' of China to Western nations. The idea for the opera was concieved by director Peter Sellars, and the setting of the original production was very naturalistic, with actors made up to resemble their well-known historical counterparts and an attempt to authentically recreate scenes like the landing of the Spirit of '76 at the Beijing airport.

Cast of Characters

In order of stage appearance:

Chou En-Lai, bar
Richard Nixon, bar
Henry Kissinger, bar
Nancy T'ang (First Secretary to Mao), ms
Second Secretary to Mao, ms

Third Secretary to Mao, ms
Mao Tse-Tung, t
Pat Nixon, s
Chiang Ch'ing (Madame Mao Tse-Tung), s (coloratura)

Synopsis

No synopsis available.

Performance History

Premiere: Houston Grand Opera, 22 October 1987

Cast:

Chou En-Lai: Sanford Sylvan
Richard Nixon: James Maddalena
Henry Kissinger: Thomas Hammons
Nancy T'ang: Mari Opatz
Second Secretary: Stephanie Friedman
Third Secretary: Marion Dry
Mao Tse-Tung: John Duykers
Pat Nixon: Carolann Page
Chiang Ch'ing: Trudy Ellen Craney

Production dircted by Peter Sellars
Choreography by Mark Morris
Set design by Adrianne Lobel
Costume design by Dunya Ramicova
Lighting design by James F. Ingalls

First performances:

Brooklyn Academy of Music: 4 December 1987 (Premiere production)
Kennedy Center: 26 March 1988 (Premiere production)
The Netherlands: Netherlands Opera, 2 June 1988 (Premiere production)

Discography

The John Adams Earbox (including Ceiling/Sky and excerpts from Nixon in China and The Death of Klinhoffer). Various artists, 1999. Compact disc (10 discs). Nonesuch 79453.
Nixon in China. St. Luke's/de Waart.
Compact disc: Elektra Nonesuch 9 79177-2 [highlights on 9 79193-2
].
"This Is Prophetic" from Nixon in China, on The World So Wide, Dawn Upshaw 1998.
Compact disc: Nonesuch 79458.

last update: 25 Nov. 2002