Name: Nixon in China
Start: 2023-04-26
End: 2023-04-26
Location: Teatro Real

Organization

Costume designer

Dick Bird

Conductor

Ivor Bolton

Stage director

John Fulljames

Set designer

Lighting designer

Ellen Ruge

Choreographer

John Ross

Video designer

Will Duke

Chorus master

Andrés Máspero

Singer

Baritone

Jacques Imbrailo

Premier Chou En Lai

Bass

Leigh Melrose

Nixon

Borja Quiza

Kissinger

Mezzo-soprano

Sandra Ferrández

1. Secretary

Countertenor

Gemma Coma-Alabert

Second Secretary

Ekaterina Antipova

Third Secretary

Tenor

Alfred Kim

Mao Tse-tung

Soprano

Sarah Tynan

Patricia Nixon

Sound designer

Cameron Crosby

Audrey Luna

Madam Mao

Royal Danish Opera

Teatro Real de Madrid

Scottish Opera

Others

Coro Intermezzo

Orchestra

Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid

English

Nixon in China

Madrid

Spain

Teatro Real

Sala Principal

Nixon in China Adams,J

Public

Private

Approved

Un título como Nixon in China aplicado a una ópera solo podía ser visto en 1987 como una solemne gamberrada o como un atrevido gesto de militante posmodernidad. Sin embargo, la estructura gramatical de este título, con innumerables antecedentes en la tradición seria –Achille in Sciro– y bufa –Il turco in Italia–, nos advierte ya de que estamos ante una ópera con sólidas raíces en la historia de este género. Esto es: con sus arias, sus conjuntos, sus concertantes, sus coros e incluso sus ballets. Lejos de caer en el olvido, Nixon in China se ha venido representando ininterrumpidamente hasta nuestros días desde su estreno, interpretada por leyendas del arte lírico como June Anderson o Sumi Jo.

Con un escenario inspirado en el ballet maoísta El destacamento femenino rojo, el libreto de Alice Goodman recrea el histórico encuentro del mandatario estadounidense con el Gran Timonel en febrero de 1972. Haciendo uso de un importante material iconográfico procedente de los archivos de la Fundación Richard Nixon y el Museo Richard Nixon, la producción de John Fulljames (Street Scene en el Teatro Real en 2018) sumerge al público en esta original reflexión sobre el choque cultural, el ejercicio –y la soledad– del poder y sus derivas autoritarias.

español

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–, tel 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.

Nixon in China by Adams, Wed 26 Apr 2023, From (2023/2023), Directed by John Fulljames,, Conductor Ivor Bolton, Teatro Real, Madrid, Spain

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Co-Producer

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues