Adams, J.: Nixon in China

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Nixon in China (more info)
Performed by: Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: John Adams
Conducted by: Marin Alsop
Maria Kanyova, soprano
Thomas Hammons, bass-baritone
Marc Heller, tenor
Chen-Ye Yuan, baritone
Melissa Malde, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer DeDominici, mezzo-soprano
Julie Simson, mezzo-soprano
Robert Orth, baritone
Tracy Dahl, soprano
Recording date: 6-14 June 2008


1.   Act I Scene 1: Beginning - 00:02:46
2.   Act I Scene 1: Soldiers of heaven hold the sky (Chorus) - 00:02:45
3.   Act I Scene 1: The people are the heroes now (Chorus) - 00:02:51
4.   Act I Scene 1: Landing of the Spirit of '76 - 00:02:34
5.   Act I Scene 1: Your flight was smooth, I hope? (Chou, Nixon) - 00:01:25
6.   Act I Scene 1: News has a kind of mystery (Nixon, Chou, Kissinger, Chorus) - 00:07:29
7.   Act I Scene 2: Beginning - I can't talk very well. My throat… (Mao, Nixon, Chou, Kissinger, 3 Secretaries) - 00:04:19
8.   Act I Scene 2: You know we'll meet with your confrere, the Democratic candidate (Mao, Nixon, Kissinger) - 00:02:40
9.   Act I Scene 2: You've said that there's a certain well-known tree (Chou, Nixon, Mao, Kissinger, 3 Secretaries) - 00:02:48
10.   Act I Scene 2: Founders come first, then profiteers (Mao, 3 Secretaries, Nixon, Chou, Kissinger) - 00:07:25
11.   Act I Scene 2: We no longer need Confucius (Mao, 3 Secretaries) - 00:03:10
12.   Act I Scene 2: Like the Ming Tombs (Nixon, 3 Secretaries, Mao, Chou) - 00:05:34
13.   Act I Scene 3: Beginning - The night is young (Nixon, Pat, Chou, Kissinger, Chorus) - 00:06:32
14.   Act I Scene 3: Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends (Chou, Chorus, Pat, Kissinger) - 00:07:00
15.   Act I Scene 3: Mr. Premier, distinguished guests (Nixon, Chorus) - 00:02:48
16.   Act I Scene 3: Cheers! (Chorus, Nixon, Chou, Pat, Kissinger) - 00:04:16

Nixon in China (more info)
Performed by: Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: John Adams
Conducted by: Marin Alsop
Maria Kanyova, soprano
Thomas Hammons, bass-baritone
Marc Heller, tenor
Chen-Ye Yuan, baritone
Melissa Malde, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer DeDominici, mezzo-soprano
Julie Simson, mezzo-soprano
Robert Orth, baritone
Tracy Dahl, soprano
Recording date: 6-14 June 2008


1.   Act II Scene 1: Beginning - I don't daydream and don't look back (Pat) - 00:03:49
2.   Act II Scene 1: Look down at the earth (Chorus, Pat, 3 Secretaries) - 00:05:51
3.   Act II Scene 1: This is prophetic! (Pat) - 00:07:58
4.   Act II Scene 1: At last the weather's warming up (Pat, Chorus) - 00:03:19
5.   Act II Scene 2: Beginning - Young as we are (3 Secretaries) - 00:03:02
6.   Act II Scene 2: O what a day I thought I'd die! (Kissinger as Lao Szu, Chorus as Ching-hua, 3 Secretaries, Pat) - 00:04:41
7.   Act II Scene 2: Whip her to death! (Kissinger as Lao Szu, Pat, Nixon) - 00:02:58
8.   Act II Scene 2: Tropical Storm: There there, there there (Pat) - 00:04:57
9.   Act II Scene 2: Flesh Rebels (Chorus as Militia) - 00:03:09
10.   Act II Scene 2: I have my brief (Kissinger as Lao Szu, Nixon) - 00:01:11
11.   Act II Scene 2: It seems so strange (Chorus as Ching-hua, Chiang Ch'ing, Pat, Nixon, 3 Secretaries) - 00:03:02
12.   Act II Scene 2: I am the wife of Mao Tse-tung (Chiang Ch'ing, Chorus) - 00:07:05

Nixon in China (more info)
Performed by: Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: John Adams
Conducted by: Marin Alsop
Maria Kanyova, soprano
Thomas Hammons, bass-baritone
Marc Heller, tenor
Chen-Ye Yuan, baritone
Melissa Malde, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer DeDominici, mezzo-soprano
Julie Simson, mezzo-soprano
Robert Orth, baritone
Tracy Dahl, soprano
Recording date: 6-14 June 2008


1.   Act III: Beginning - 00:01:10
2.   Act III: Some men you cannot satisfy (Kissinger, Nixon, Pat, Chou, Chiang Ch'ing) - 00:03:09
3.   Act III: I am no one (Mao, Chou, Kissinger, Chiang Ch'ing, Pat) - 00:03:47
4.   Act III: The Maos Dance (Chiang Ch'ing, Mao, Pat, Nixon, Chou) - 00:02:05
5.   Act III: Sitting around the radio (Nixon, Pat) - 00:01:17
6.   Act III: Let us examine what you did (Mao, Chiang Ch'ing, Chou) - 00:02:55
7.   Act III: When I woke up I dimly realized the Jap Bombers had given us a miss (Nixon, Pat) - 00:01:22
8.   Act III: I have no offspring (Chou, Mao, Chiang Ch'ing) - 00:02:05
9.   Act III: I can keep still (Chiang Ch'ing) - 00:03:14
10.   Act III: After that the sweat had soaked my uniform (Nixon, Pat, Chiang Ch'ing, Mao, Chou) - 00:02:55
11.   Act III: Peking watches the stars (Chiang Ch'ing, Mao) - 00:03:30
12.   Act III: You won at poker (Pat, Nixon, Chiang Ch'ing, Mao) - 00:04:02
13.   Act III: I am old and I cannot sleep (Chou) - 00:04:57

Reviews

Nixon in China (Feb 8, 2010)
Reviewer:E. Apuzzo
Nixon in China starts us off like any good Greek tragedy would… with a haunting scene of war and poverty. In this case, the scene is set by the very capable Opera Colorado Chorus. Other tracks are equally ominous as though they came straight from a thriller flick. The historical aspect of the opera is very enjoyable, yet it maintains a very human element throughout in the relationships... Nixon in China starts us off like any good Greek tragedy would… with a haunting scene of war and poverty. In this case, the scene is set by the very capable Opera Colorado Chorus. Other tracks are equally ominous as though they came straight from a thriller flick. The historical aspect of the opera is very enjoyable, yet it maintains a very human element throughout in the relationships between the characters. From business to diplomacy to romance, it’s all covered. The language and subject matter is intense at times, but authentic. Composer John Adams makes wonderful use of the libretto, both forceful and mundane, to weave a consistent tapestry of sound. One of the more lighthearted moments is also one of the first things that caught my ear. Premier Chou En-lai asks President Nixon about his flight. Nixon’s response is “Smooth…”, but the music jokes otherwise. It’s witty and it’s honest. Conductor Marin Alsop and singers bring the music to life and help the whole piece strike a nice balance between history and modernity. If you enjoy modern music and are looking for something new, this would be a great addition to your collection. (read more)