John Adams’ rhythmically rich recreation of a presidential trip to Beijing has established itself as a great American opera, a work of “clarity, simplicity, shocking elegance” that “will be around for the long haul” (The New York Times). A quarter-century after premiering at Houston Grand Opera under the leadership of David Gockley, this modern masterpiece makes its long-awaited Bay Area stage premiere. Michael Cavanagh’s “brilliantly effective” staging (Vancouver Sun) will feature Brian Mulligan, whose rich baritone thrilled audiences in San Francisco Opera’s Faust (2010) and Werther (2010), in the title role. Lawrence Renes, whose conducting of Adams’ Doctor Atomic won praise from London critics, will lead the orchestra. “What commands attention in the Nixon score is, quite simply, melody” (The New York Times).
Sung in English with English supertitles
Approximate running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes including one intermission
- Venue: War Memorial Opera House
- Date: Tue June 26, 2012 8:00pm
- City: San Francisco
- Price Range: $24 - $221
- Tickets: (415) 864-3330
Fri June 8, 2012 8:00pm
War Memorial Opera House
Thu June 14, 2012 7:30pm
War Memorial Opera House
Sun June 17, 2012 2:00pm
War Memorial Opera House
Fri June 22, 2012 8:00pm
War Memorial Opera House
Sat June 30, 2012 8:00pm
War Memorial Opera House
Tue July 3, 2012 7:30pm
War Memorial Opera House
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Program
John Adams
Nixon in China
Performers
Brian Mulligan
Richard Nixon
Maria Kanyova
Pat Nixon
Simon O’Neill
Mao Tse-tung
Hye Jung Lee
Chiang Ch’ing (Madame Mao Tse-tung)
Chen-Ye Yuan
Chou En-lai
Patrick Carfizzi
Henry Kissinger
