Though more famous for works such as “Doctor Atomic” and “Nixon in China,” John Adams also composed the memorable Christmas-themed opera, “El Niño” or “The Baby,” which tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christmas. The opera-oratorio premiered on December 15, 2000 in Paris and has been performed many times since as holiday entertainment. The first performance featured soloists {…}
(Credit: The Metropolitan Opera official website) In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Metropolitan Opera’s HD Live in Schools program has launched an online series for the 2020–21 school year. For the upcoming school year, all students and teachers will receive free subscriptions to the Met Opera on Demand streaming service. A total of ten operas have been selected {…}
The Ojai Music Festival has announced its 75th anniversary celebrations including two major appointments for upcoming festivals. The company started off by announcing the composer John Adams, best known for “Nixon in China” and “Doctor Atomic,” would be the music director for the 2021 festival, which will take place between June 10-13, 2021. But the bigger surprise was in the {…}
(Credit: Simon Pauly) The Opus Klassik has announced its top prizes. Joyce DiDonato won Female Singer of the Year while Christian Gerhaher won Male Singer of the Year. Meanwhile, Emóke Baráth and Nadine Sierra both took home the Young Singer Award, while Jakub Jósef Orlinski was awarded Solo Recording (Opera) for his “Anima Sacra.” André Schuen won Solo Recording (Song) {…}
(Credit: Jessi Oliano) In the 21st century when opera is perceived as elitist and out-of-touch with contemporary issues, there are many hated buzz words which encapsulate hurdles that modern opera companies must meet if they want to survive. “Relevancy” is one such buzz word. In a society that is far-removed from the aristocracy, powdered wigs and hoop skirts, common in {…}
The 1848 Californian gold rush has an almost mythical place in American cultural history, with its associations of lucky strikes and the pioneering spirit, as well as more negative connotations of lawlessness, hard toil and poverty for those who were not so lucky. It has spawned Hollywood films, documentaries, books and songs, while opera-goers are also likely to associate it {…}
“The Death of Klinghoffer” is one of the most controversial operas ever created. The work, written by librettist Alice Goodman and composer John Adams, had its world premiere on March 19, 1991, in Brussels, but upon appearing in NYC later that year, the work has been followed by major protests; it was initiated by Lisa and Ilsa Klinghoffer, the daughters {…}
The Princeton Festival has announced its 2019 season, which will feature a number of major performances, including one opera production. Things will kick off with a production of “Nixon in China” in a production by Steven LaCosse. Sean Anderson will take on the title role while Rainelle Krause will be Pat Nixon. Cameron Schutza will be Chairman Mao and Teresa {…}
The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation, a Dutch cultural institution dedicated to supporting the arts and humanities, announced on Feb. 21 that composer John Adams will be awarded its 2019 Erasmus Prize. According to the press release, the prize “is awarded annually to a person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the field of humanities, social sciences or the {…}
Born on Feb. 15, 1947, John Adams is one of the great American composers of the late 20th century. He grew up in numerous states throughout New England and began composing at the age of 10. At Harvard, he studied composition and in 1972, he was teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He then kicked off his career {…}
“The Gospel according to the other Mary,” is defined by John Adams, and the complier of the libretto, Peter Sellars, as an opera-oratorio, and sitting in the concert hall of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, in Rome, watching a performance of the work, conducted by the composer, it is easy to see why. For this is a work that {…}