(Photo: Elena Bauer / Opéra National de Paris)

This week, the Washington National Opera is set to bring John Adams’ “Nixon in China” back to the U.S. stage at Constitution Hall.

The opera seems fitting for America’s 250th celebration, bringing together two of America’s greatest legends in roles that they have already conquered. In the title role, Thomas Hamspon will sing his acclaimed Richard Nixon after having sung it at the Paris Opera and showcased scenes with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

When he first sang the opera, Hampson portrayed the role “a bit more pitiful and less tragic than in historical opera” and was clearly acquainted with John Adams’ music. Critics also noted he “veered between suave and angular as Richard Nixon.” 

Now he is set to bring the complete iconic role to the US for the first time and he noted, “The opera is about how history becomes mythologized.”

For audiences not in Washington D.C., Hampson will also bring the role to the Palau de les Arts and the Teatro alla Scala. He will also perform scenes in Dublin and in Naples, Florida.

Recordings 

To see his full interpretation, you can watch the on demand stream from Paris Opera Play from 2023 when he first performed the role. Here is a clip.