Opera

Nixon in China

John Adams

17 Apr, 23 - 02 May, 23

Musical Conductor: Ivor Bolton | Stage Director: John Fulljames | Principal Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real

Buy

17 Apr 23

Premiere

02 May 23

Last Performance

7

Shows

Sponsor by:

A title like Nixon in China for an opera could only be interpreted in 1987 as an intriguing gag or a daring gesture of militant postmodernism. Nonetheless, the grammatical structure of this title, with innumerable precedents from the opera seria tradition –Achille in Sciro– and buffa –Il turco in Italia–, tell us that we have an opera solidly rooted in the history of the genre here.  That is to say: arias, ensembles, concertantes, choruses and even ballets. Far from being forgotten, Nixon in China has been seen on stage without interruption from the moment of its premiere until now, with performances of singing legends such as June Anderson or Sumi Jo.

With staging inspired by the Maoist ballet Red Detachment of Women, the libretto by Alice Goodman recreates the historic meeting of the President of the United States with the Great Helmsman, Mao Zedong, in February 1972. Making use of extensive iconography from the Richard Nixon Foundation and the Richard Nixon Museum, this production by John Fulljames (Street Scene at the Teatro Real in 2018) immerses the audience in this original reflection about culture shock, the exercising - and loneliness -.  of power, and its authoritarian repercussions.


Opera in three acts

Music by John Adams (1947)

Libretto by Alice Goodman

Premiere at the Houston Grand Opera, 22 October 1987

Premiere at the Teatro Real

New production of the Teatro Real, in coproduction with Den Kongelige Opera de Copenhague and the Scottish Opera


Artistic team

Musical Conductor | Ivor Bolton

Stage Director | John Fulljames

Stage and Costume Designer | Dick Bird

Lighting Designer | Ellen Ruge

Choreographer | John Ross

Sound Designer | Cameron Crosby

Vídeo | Will Duke

Chorus Director | Andrés Máspero


Cast 

Chou En-Lai | Jacques Imbrailo

Richard Nixon | Leigh Melrose

Henry Kissinger | Borja Quiza               

Nancy T`ang (Mao's first secretary) | Sandra Ferrández

Second Secretary | Gemma Coma-Alabert

Third Secretary | Ekaterina Antípova

Mao Tse-Tung | Alfred Kim

Pat Nixon | Sarah Tynan

Chiang Ch’ing  (Madame Tse-Tung) | Audrey Luna

Principal Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real

 

Releases

Protector Friend

09 January

2023

Collaborating and Benefactor Friend

10 January

2023

Subscribers

12 January

2023

Tickets on sale

17 January

2023

Performances

  • Date/hour
  • Space
  • Cast
  • Subscription ticket

17 April 2023

19:30

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets E

21 April 2023

19:30

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets G

24 April 2023

19:30

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets Z

26 April 2023

19:30

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets F

28 April 2023

19:30

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets H

30 April 2023

18:00

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets W

02 May 2023

19:30

Main Auditorium

Subscription tickets A

Parallel activities

Enfoques

What's OnGayarre Hall

Ponemos el foco sobre la producción de Nixon in China con algunos de sus protagonistas. 

10

April

2023

20:15

Coloquio

What's OnTeatro Real

Coloquio en torno a la visita de Nixon  a la China de Mao con la colaboración  de Casa de América y Casa Asia | Abril

00

00

00

00

Coloquio

What's OnBritish Council

Livestream

00

00

00

00

Conciertos

What's OnFundación SGAE

España minimal. Conciertos sobre  música minimal y new age española | Abril

00

00

00

00

Ciclo de cine

What's OnFilmoteca Española

Ciclo de cine en torno a la guerra de Vietnam | Abril-Mayo 

00

00

00

00

Conferencia

What's OnInstituto Internacional

The Nixon Enigma | Abril - Mayo

00

00

00

00

Recorrido guiado

What's OnThyssen-Bornemisza Museum

El viaje. Recorrido guiado por las colecciones en torno a la experiencia del viaje | Abril

00

00

00

00

Seminario

What's OnReal Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid

Seminario sobre ópera y política en el siglo XX | 27 de abril

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00

00

00

Encuentro

What's OnResidencia de Estudiantes

Encuentro

00

00

00

00

Conferencia

What's OnUniversidad Nebrija

La moda femenina en la segunda mitad del siglo XX | Abril - Mayo

00

00

00

00

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