Never before heard of this opera, however I have become some what obsessed with Nixon In China, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said I have become obsessed with this opera.
Considering the irrational international tensions, perhaps this would be a good time to revive this brilliant opera to show that diplomacy has power and virtue.
Why is John Adams growing on me so much?...why have I only in the last few years heard of this stunning hidden genius of American music? First in Civ IV, then I heard "The Death of Klinghoffer," it stunned me...then I saw "Doctor Atomic" and I was floored by it... John Adams has tapped in to something...something cosmic.
I'm just now hearing Nixon in China, my first taste of Adams, and I'm shocked that I've never gravitated to it before, given my predilection for Philip Glass' works. If you're a Glass fan too, that would explain why it's growing on you. This seems very similar to The Photographer.
Unfortunately, paraphrasing John Adams himself, classical fans tend to be incredibly timid conservative, and music makers have to bow to market pressures. Many of us would rather hear Beethoven's 5th or 9th symphonies or Nachtmusik for the billionth time rather than try some new sonorities.
I absolutely love this section of Nixon in China--from the "Landing of the Spirit of'76" through "News Has a Kind of Mystery." Adams may be our greatest contemporary operatic composer.
such a damn shame there's not the rest of the number uploaded here. the whole 'it's yesterday now home' part about 'grandpa's asleep, the homework is done, sounds of pop music coming from the street' is priceless.
I witnessed this brilliant production in Amsterdam in 1988 and this arrival scene at Beijing Airport of Nixon and his wife is the scene I most vividly remember. Great to see it posted here.
I have seen John Adams here in London at the Proms and have been an admirer of his music for at least 20 years and I don`t think he gets enough credit for his wonderful acivements and his brave attempts to tackle controversal subject matter through his Music,Many Many Thanks for posting the Nixon In China excerpts Peace and Love Paul xx
i watched this on Tuesday in Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It was amazing! But I like how the aircraft just decends from the sky in this production. The Vancouver production features... (I guess I'll just stop as many people are still going to watch it).
@Cliodule - - this happens to be one of my favorite operas - i'm 61 and my 84 year old father loves this particular aria - "News" The MET will give it a premiere next year. I am happy for composers like John Adams who expand our knowledge of what is possible in opera. You think it's one sick opera and I think it's one glorious opera.
Exciting！ Nixon who was a contemporary hero went down from the sky. This opera is one of the masterpieces of the 20th century.John Adams is a spiendid composer.Bravo！
1:10 Nixon arrives, waves 1:30 your flight was smooth? 2:46 into News aria 2:59 News Aria 3:47 though we spoke quietly 4:15 transforming us 4:53 On our flight (m. 476)
There is no 'should'-that's perhaps where you're going wrong. I listen to this wonderful music because I choose to, not because I feel obligated to. Isn't that how it should be?
They are doing it live in Denver next month. Not sure where you are, but it would be worth the trip. I wish I could go. I went to his El Nino in LA and it was awesome.
jackal59 i think it’s supposed to be “oh say can you see” mixed with the theme of this news has a certain kind of, kind of myst-ah-ree, mista-reeEeeeeeEeeee
Maybe I can prevent further misunderstandings by explaining. First, my comment about "snobbery" was directed, not at this opera, but at a previous poster. I don't think this opera is snobbish. in fact, I really enjoy Nixon in China, along with other music by John Adams, which IMO deserves a wide audience. And when I described Adams as "the shit," and this opera as "sick," I was using those expressions jokingly, in their slang senses, to mean "excellent" and outstanding."
@Eiswirth You obviously haven't listened to much of Pultizer Prize-winning composer John Adams' music. On the contrary, his music is very imaginative and he is arguably one of the top 20 composers of the 20th century.
This opera does seem a little bit unusual at some parts, but the only reason I'm watching it is because it has a really awesome song in it called "The People are the Heroes Now"
It's this kind of snobbery that turns many people away from opera and classical music. This type of music is composed and performed to be enjoyed--not worshiped. The symphony hall isn't a church, and the opera house isn't a cathedral. It's much better for people to watch and listen to this opera, and say it's "fucking epic," than for it to go unwatched and unlistened-to. Let me conclude by saying that, in my considered opinion, John Adams is the shit, and Nixon in China is one sick opera.
@ezev8logos thats like saying Indian food tastes better than Chinese food. they are not the same and should be admired for their individual characteristics. Adams uses minimalist techniques not used in French or Italian Operas. you cant say this is worse or better.
It's a shame they couldn't find any Asian Opera singers, but I applaud this opera's creativity and class- the music is excellent and the singers are superb. Bravo!
@ezev8logos I disagree-- opera really focuses on more grandiose themes and should be enjoyable whether or not the music is in the listener's native language. It just so happens that "Nixon in China" is in English.
@neatodd not being present to see this one in person, I can't honestly agree or disagree, but Adams was a far greater conductor that I would've imagined.
@ezev8logos Sorry for the misunderstanding-- but I still disagree with you... I feel this is aiming for a completely different level. I understand where you're coming from, operas like Don Carlo are beautiful and in comparison this does kind of feel like some kind of off-beat musical. But if taken by itself, I really feel "Nixon in China" is one of the best contemporary operas. It takes a contemporary event and manages to bring a minimalist-sort of score which I think is simply beautiful.
"John Adams's Nixon in China: Musical Analysis, Historical and Political Perspectives" (2016) says it's referential of The Star Spangled Banner, though not a quote.
@yerejay I see where you're coming from, but it could just as easily be argued that such casting concerns have NEVER mattered in opera performance. Does that mean that they shouldn't matter to modern opera? No, of course not. Your point is well-taken, but if you allow your point to overwhelm what Adams accomplished here, you'll miss the point entirely.
@Danro05 that's because adam's isn't a minimalist, He was merely influence by them in the same sense that Schoenberg was influence by Mozart, and he rejected the movement. The only time I've ever heard him refer to his music as minimalist was in a self-depreciative joke
Would be nice if they made a decent movie about Nixon in China. Nothing too flashy or extravagant,.....maybe something similar to "Frost/Nixion" (2008).
I feel inclined to ask what's wrong with learning about a composer through school? Where else are we going to hear about it? Regardless, this is really an amazing piece of music.
@todtubbi I'd have a hard time categorizing this as better than WWS or P&B, but it's pretty good. Adams does kinda grow on you... well, some of his stuff.
This is sort of like listening to Wagner, in fact it feels like a hollow imitation of Wagner to my ears, except with the poetry and solemn religious themes replaced with "news!!! NEWS!!!! news!!!! news news news!!!!!!!! newssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!"
@alciefrederic I see that you are from Australia, which suggests to me that you are not familiar with the North-American slang I was using. In addition, certain grammatical errors in your post (e.g. "Expressing dislike if you like") suggest to me that English is not your first language. In any case, if you thought I was somehow insulting John Adams' Nixon in China, then it's you who doesn't understand. I am a great admirer of both the work and its composer.
they were about to in 2004 if i'm not mistaken, it even was on one of their ad leaflets but for some reason they changed their mind. I got so gutted I started calling their administration. But no-one I got to talk to seemed to know the reason...
Never before heard of this opera, however I have become some what obsessed with Nixon In China, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said I have become obsessed with this opera.
Considering the irrational international tensions, perhaps this would be a good time to revive this brilliant opera to show that diplomacy has power and virtue.
This is a very good point.
I was there....it was incredible. A huge jet on the Met stage. Absurdly perfect.
Why is John Adams growing on me so much?...why have I only in the last few years heard of this stunning hidden genius of American music? First in Civ IV, then I heard "The Death of Klinghoffer," it stunned me...then I saw "Doctor Atomic" and I was floored by it... John Adams has tapped in to something...something cosmic.
I'm just now hearing Nixon in China, my first taste of Adams, and I'm shocked that I've never gravitated to it before, given my predilection for Philip Glass' works. If you're a Glass fan too, that would explain why it's growing on you. This seems very similar to The Photographer.
brykmantra I love Glass. Did Glass write the Einstein opera?
Unfortunately, paraphrasing John Adams himself, classical fans tend to be incredibly timid conservative, and music makers have to bow to market pressures. Many of us would rather hear Beethoven's 5th or 9th symphonies or Nachtmusik for the billionth time rather than try some new sonorities.
He is the 2nd POTUS
I absolutely love this section of Nixon in China--from the "Landing of the Spirit of'76" through "News Has a Kind of Mystery." Adams may be our greatest contemporary operatic composer.
its a minimalist opera
but the point is magnificently conveyed, especially if you are a fan of this time in history
Patrik600ful, yes, that is James Maddalena. I saw this opera on PBS back in the 1980s. It was breathtaking.
such a damn shame there's not the rest of the number uploaded here. the whole 'it's yesterday now home' part about 'grandpa's asleep, the homework is done, sounds of pop music coming from the street' is priceless.
I witnessed this brilliant production in Amsterdam in 1988 and this arrival scene at Beijing Airport of Nixon and his wife is the scene I most vividly remember. Great to see it posted here.
What an amazing scene with the plane coming down. I'm not a huge opera fan but I have to see this one.
I fuckin' love this opera.
I love this opera. Love it.
Beautiful, I love it.
I like the intensity.
i have replayed this over and over again. both the music and the play are wonderful
I have seen John Adams here in London at the Proms and have been an admirer of his music for at least 20 years and I don`t think he gets enough credit for his wonderful acivements and his brave attempts to tackle controversal subject matter through his Music,Many Many Thanks for posting the Nixon In China excerpts Peace and Love Paul xx
I heard this maybe 15 years ago. It's really a masterpiece.
i watched this on Tuesday in Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It was amazing! But I like how the aircraft just decends from the sky in this production. The Vancouver production features... (I guess I'll just stop as many people are still going to watch it).
Very beatiful Opera! In style minimalist music
This is absolutely wonderful.
This was the first of a trilogy of presidential operas. The ones about Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were even better.
Opinunate ted thanks for mentioning the two others
@Cliodule - - this happens to be one of my favorite operas - i'm 61 and my 84 year old father loves this particular aria - "News"
The MET will give it a premiere next year. I am happy for composers like John Adams who expand our knowledge of what is possible in opera.
You think it's one sick opera and I think it's one glorious opera.
Brilliant and different kind of opera! I hope to find time to see this.
Beautiful and exiting opera. I like it so much!
Opera interessante in stile musicale minimalista.Grande musicista contemporaneo e' J.Adam.
I saw it in LA as well - twice. Absolutely amazing. "Monumental" is right, and so emotionally overwhelming.
Exciting！ Nixon who was a contemporary hero went down from the sky. This opera is one of the masterpieces of the 20th century.John Adams is a spiendid composer.Bravo！
1:10 Nixon arrives, waves
1:30 your flight was smooth?
2:46 into News aria
2:59 News Aria
3:47 though we spoke quietly
4:15 transforming us
4:53 On our flight (m. 476)
The vocal and music are more important in opera than the theatre aspect of the performance.
There is no 'should'-that's perhaps where you're going wrong.
I listen to this wonderful music because I choose to, not because I feel obligated to.
Isn't that how it should be?
I don't care what anyone says. I just LOVE this! The harmonies are so entrancing :)
Just brilliant.
They are doing it live in Denver next month. Not sure where you are, but it would be worth the trip.
I wish I could go. I went to his El Nino in LA and it was awesome.
I love the sly quotations from "Siegfried" (or is it "Götterdammerung"?) that sneak in here and there.
jackal59 i think it’s supposed to be “oh say can you see” mixed with the theme of this news has a certain kind of, kind of myst-ah-ree, mista-reeEeeeeeEeeee
I would love to see this opera..may be one day ..
wonderful
Marvelous.
Man I love this!!!
trop bon!
ausgezeichnet!
big time!
thx for sharing,
alexander, fra
incredible!
Maybe I can prevent further misunderstandings by explaining. First, my comment about "snobbery" was directed, not at this opera, but at a previous poster. I don't think this opera is snobbish. in fact, I really enjoy Nixon in China, along with other music by John Adams, which IMO deserves a wide audience. And when I described Adams as "the shit," and this opera as "sick," I was using those expressions jokingly, in their slang senses, to mean "excellent" and outstanding."
Vancouver Opera is performing this in March 2010!
how is it not? Nixon singing opera=comedy gold.
Love it, just love to see GOOD contemporary opera and classical, thanks to the library for introducing me to this, my first modern opera.
@Eiswirth You obviously haven't listened to much of Pultizer Prize-winning composer John Adams' music. On the contrary, his music is very imaginative and he is arguably one of the top 20 composers of the 20th century.
Please put more John Adam's music on youtube!!! I am his fan
This opera does seem a little bit unusual at some parts, but the only reason I'm watching it is because it has a really awesome song in it called "The People are the Heroes Now"
I'm seeing it on Saturday!
you are correct. backing you up.
It's this kind of snobbery that turns many people away from opera and classical music. This type of music is composed and performed to be enjoyed--not worshiped.
The symphony hall isn't a church, and the opera house isn't a cathedral. It's much better for people to watch and listen to this opera, and say it's "fucking epic," than for it to go unwatched and unlistened-to.
Let me conclude by saying that, in my considered opinion, John Adams is the shit, and Nixon in China is one sick opera.
I believe this is the song I want to hear as I breathe my last gasp, it is so perfect. "The prime minister knows about that. He's such a traveler."
One part Richard Nixon, one part Paul Giamatti, one part opera singer.
I am a Chinese, it's my first time to see the event in this way!
@ezev8logos thats like saying Indian food tastes better than Chinese food. they are not the same and should be admired for their individual characteristics. Adams uses minimalist techniques not used in French or Italian Operas. you cant say this is worse or better.
It's a shame they couldn't find any Asian Opera singers, but I applaud this opera's creativity and class- the music is excellent and the singers are superb. Bravo!
Thanks for upload, educative
I am beyond intrigued...
there is nothing more entertaining than seeing Nixon pull off opera cause theres nothing funnier than watching a stool pidgeon sing
it's a masterpiece. otherwise, the Met wouldn't have done it..
(and for many other reasons...)
@ezev8logos I disagree-- opera really focuses on more grandiose themes and should be enjoyable whether or not the music is in the listener's native language. It just so happens that "Nixon in China" is in English.
@neatodd not being present to see this one in person, I can't honestly agree or disagree, but Adams was a far greater conductor that I would've imagined.
Many music "purists" object to this opera, but then they are still stuck in the XIX century and to then even Stravinsky is a disgrace.
It cuts out right in the middle of the song.
@NOTMARBON
well, I'm sure no one will ever have as much class as you.
i Like it
@ezev8logos Sorry for the misunderstanding-- but I still disagree with you... I feel this is aiming for a completely different level. I understand where you're coming from, operas like Don Carlo are beautiful and in comparison this does kind of feel like some kind of off-beat musical. But if taken by itself, I really feel "Nixon in China" is one of the best contemporary operas. It takes a contemporary event and manages to bring a minimalist-sort of score which I think is simply beautiful.
So I've been wondering about the "Smoo-hoo-hooo-th" bit. Is that a reference to another tune?
"John Adams's Nixon in China: Musical Analysis, Historical and Political Perspectives" (2016) says it's referential of The Star Spangled Banner, though not a quote.
My ex and I watched this on January 15, 2014! Still funny, though!
Hey, thanks for the answer. Seems rather obvious in retrospect :]
Is that James Maddalena as Richard Nixon?
Yes
@yerejay I see where you're coming from, but it could just as easily be argued that such casting concerns have NEVER mattered in opera performance. Does that mean that they shouldn't matter to modern opera? No, of course not. Your point is well-taken, but if you allow your point to overwhelm what Adams accomplished here, you'll miss the point entirely.
@Danro05 that's because adam's isn't a minimalist, He was merely influence by them in the same sense that Schoenberg was influence by Mozart, and he rejected the movement. The only time I've ever heard him refer to his music as minimalist was in a self-depreciative joke
Is this a great work? Maybe. Some of it is very exciting, and that is very close to greatness. Only time will tell.
1:51 - LOL - Kissinger pops his head out (hysterical)
@robotummy Great news !
wow as a Chinese who plays civilisation 4, I am shocked by this...
Would be nice if they made a decent movie about Nixon in China. Nothing too flashy or extravagant,.....maybe something similar to "Frost/Nixion" (2008).
@marineproductions1 Having met John Adams twice, it seems like he might have done a few things back in the day...
(really?) Sure. Letting an actual B747 landing on the stage would have been so much easy and realistic...
I feel inclined to ask what's wrong with learning about a composer through school? Where else are we going to hear about it?
Regardless, this is really an amazing piece of music.
I think you should hear it on your local classical music radio station.
Incredible! Great singers! Would you mind posting their names?!
This is lit
@todtubbi I don't know If it tops A Quiet Place, but its too close to call
yeah...i laughed when i first saw it, but then i couldn't stop watching
@todtubbi I'd have a hard time categorizing this as better than WWS or P&B, but it's pretty good. Adams does kinda grow on you... well, some of his stuff.
What's WWS? P&B is Porgy and Bess, pretty sure.
Isn't it? How can you actually take the idea of Nixon singing seriously?(not that I wouldn't seeing this. It looks excellent.
@Cliodule Amen!
it's musical irony
This is sort of like listening to Wagner, in fact it feels like a hollow imitation of Wagner to my ears, except with the poetry and solemn religious themes replaced with "news!!! NEWS!!!! news!!!! news news news!!!!!!!! newssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!"
4:38: My husband is crazy.
@alciefrederic I see that you are from Australia, which suggests to me that you are not familiar with the North-American slang I was using.
In addition, certain grammatical errors in your post (e.g. "Expressing dislike if you like") suggest to me that English is not your first language.
In any case, if you thought I was somehow insulting John Adams' Nixon in China, then it's you who doesn't understand. I am a great admirer of both the work and its composer.
@robotummy Might just join you for that. Me being from the UK. ;)
they were about to in 2004 if i'm not mistaken, it even was on one of their ad leaflets but for some reason they changed their mind.
I got so gutted I started calling their administration. But no-one I got to talk to seemed to know the reason...
That's odd, did I come here four months ago and write ASTRONAUTS ?
*0:25** Yes, because airplanes in 1972 had VTOL capabilities.*
wow that guy really looks like nixon. but who was the other guy? is he playing zhou enlai or mao?
what the hell is going on oh god how did this get here i am not good with computer
Why does it have so less?
WHERE ARE THE SUBTITLES? I DID A SEARCH THAT INCLUDED THE WORD "SUBTITLES". THIS IS A DISCRACE!! IT MIGHT BE IN ENGLISH, BUT IT'S NOT EASY TO FOLLOW!
@Eiswirth Clearly you haven't heard the Doctor Atomic Symphony
It's Richard Nixon's birthday today.