John Adams: Nixon in China - 2019

Besides the landing on the moon by the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Richard Nixon’s meeting with China’s leader Mao Zedong in February 1972 then represented one of the biggest media spectacles in history. Nixon himself established the reference between the two events: “We came in peace for all mankind” not only marked the lunar module Eagle’s landing spot – Nixon also spoke of it into the microphones just before his departure to China. It was not John Adam’s aim to create a superficial or even a caricaturing representation of Nixon’s visit when composing his opera. He attempted to create a “heroic opera” about the construction of modern myths by using archetypical characters and situations. Director Marco Štorman stages Adams’ minimal music opera as a deconstruction review about the power of images, the politics of staging and the staging of politics.

162min
2019
Released
Trakio rating0.0/10

Cast

Michael Mayes profile pictureMichael MayesRichard Nixon
Matthias Klink profile pictureMatthias KlinkMao Tse-tung
Shigeo Ishino profile pictureShigeo IshinoHenry Kissinger
Jarett Ott profile pictureJarett OttChou En-lai
Ida Ränzlöv profile pictureIda RänzlövFirst Secretary to Mao
Fiorella Hincapié profile pictureFiorella HincapiéSecond Secretary to Mao
Luise von Garnier profile pictureLuise von GarnierThird Secretary to Mao

About John Adams: Nixon in China

John Adams: Nixon in China Overview

Besides the landing on the moon by the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Richard Nixon’s meeting with China’s leader Mao Zedong in February 1972 then represented one of the biggest media spectacles in history. Nixon himself established the reference between the two events: “We came in peace for all mankind” not only marked the lunar module Eagle’s landing spot – Nixon also spoke of it into the microphones just before his departure to China. It was not John Adam’s aim to create a superficial or even a caricaturing representation of Nixon’s visit when composing his opera. He attempted to create a “heroic opera” about the construction of modern myths by using archetypical characters and situations. Director Marco Štorman stages Adams’ minimal music opera as a deconstruction review about the power of images, the politics of staging and the staging of politics.

Runtime: 162min

Extra details

Original Title: John Adams: Nixon in China
Original Language: German
Directed By: Marco Štorman
Production Companies
Staatsoper Stuttgart