(a little bit of catch-up from a busy summer)
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John Adams
Nixon in China
- Kathleen Kim soprano (Madame Mao)
- Alan Oke tenor (Chairman Mao)
- Gerald Finley bass-baritone (Chou En-Lai)
- Robert Orth baritone (President Nixon)
- Jessica Rivera soprano (Pat Nixon)
- James Rutherford bass-baritone, New Generation Artist (Kissinger)
- Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano (Secretary)
- Louise Poole mezzo-soprano (Secretary)
- Susan Platts mezzo-soprano (Secretary)
- BBC Singers
- BBC Symphony Orchestra
- John Adams conductor
- Paul Curran stage director
Standing in the Royal Albert Hall Arena for the first time, up real close to the front - well I did arrive nice and early and very excited for my first go at being a proper Prommer! Also very excited too knowing that both Gerald Finley and Kathleen Kim are in the cast for this concert format performance of Nixon in China.
I have previously seen this John Adams opera on TV in The Metropolitan Opera's production, also featuring Kathleen Kim as Madam Mao, who was fantastic, the production itself left me rather underwhelmed but felt an opportunity to view this in concert format was not to be missed as I was sure there was much to appreciate here that I had missed. So glad I took this opportunity as I was totally blown away! The whole cast were fantastic, Kathleen Kim was awesome as Madam Mao-a stellar performance, and it was an incredible experience for me to find myself so close to the stage to watch her perform, in particular the aria "I am the wife of Mao Tse-Tung" Woooohooooo, what a performance! Incredible! Gerald Finley was incredible also, as were Jessica Rivera-a lovely Pat Nixon, Robert Orth and Alan Oke.
I have quickly grown to rate very highly operas I have seen done in concert format, much easier to appreciate both the music and singing performances without the distractions of scenery, especially the music and here I must say how much I loved the music of John Adams here-spine tingling-which I must confess was totally lost on me watching The Met production, and what a bonus to have Adams himself conducting. I found myself equally stunned and delighted that there were so many youngsters in the audience around me enjoying everything as much as I was, and obviously much more knowledgeable of John Adams' work than I - lovely to see! Came away from this easily high as a kite as I do when attending any of the older, classic operas that I also love......
..... just as a footnote, I must add that I do love modern operas such as this, a wonderful way to convey epic moments of modern history as I also found with Adam's Dr Atomic. More of the wonderful diversity that is opera, I find myself enjoying this easily as much as I do Mozart or Handel, Rossini or Verdi, Wagner or Strauss, Puccini or Berlioz. Ain't opera just wunnerful!! A fantastic experience and Kathleen Kim's Madam Mao will remain as a very special memory I shall treasure.
Also just to add that I atteneded the pre-concert talk across the road at the Royal College of Music which gave a great insight into China's political situation at the time of Nixons visit. As I write this it is still available to listen on this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01mf8c3 with writer and broadcaster Rana Mitter and journalist Shuyun Sun-was very keen to hear her speak as I remember her as a producer on the magnificent BBC series A Year In Tibet and she also wrote the fascinating book which accomanied this series. Very enjoyable and informative talk.
Some background and synopsis for Nixon In China available here on Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_in_China_(opera)
