Related Objects

KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: John Adams’ “Nixon in China” and an interview with Harvey Sollberger, 2 of 2

Analog Audio

Event Type

Interview and Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

MC.1988.03.10.c1.B

Program Series

Morning Concert

Program Length

128 min

Part

2 of 2

Dates

1988-03-10 | broadcast
| 1988-03-10 | created

Description

This program, recorded on March 10, 1988, begins with Charles Amirkhanian’s brief interview with composer Harvey Sollberger in which they discuss two of Sollberger’s works, “Persian Golf” and “Three or Four Things I Know About the Oboe.” The two are then joined by composer John Adams for a discussion about the state of New Music in the San Francisco Bay Area. The bulk of the program is then dedicated to John Adams’ blockbuster opera “Nixon in China.” This masterwork of contemporary opera was written in collaboration with director Peter Sellars and poet Alice Goodman, and at the time of this recording was just about to be released on compact disc. This recording of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s production (December, 1987, NY) features singers John Duykers and Carolann Page, among others. The opera tells the story of President Richard Nixon’s trip to China and features a host of famous figures including Nixon and his wife Pat, Chou Enlai, Henry Kissinger and Chairman Mao himself. Selections from the recording are heard, in addition to a discussion of Adams’ other orchestral and operatic projects. (from KPFA Folio)

Genres

Operas
Minimalism

Musical Selections

[end of Act 1, Scene 1 of “Nixon in China”] (1985-87) / John Adams -- [Act 1, Scene 2 of “Nixon in China”] (1985-87) / John Adams -- [excerpt from Act 2, Scene 2 of “Nixon in China”] (1985-87) / John Adams

Performers

John Duykers, tenor, Mao
James Maddalena, baritone, Nixon
Sanford Sylvan, baritone, Cho Enlai
Thomas Hammons, bass-baritone, Kissinger
Mari Opatz, mezzo-soprano
Stephanie Friedman, mezzo-soprano
Marion Dry, mezzo-soprano
Carolann Page, soprano, Pat Nixon
Trudy Ellen Craney, soprano, Madame Mao
Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Edo de Waart, conductor

Subjects

Operas -- Excerpts
Minimal music

Acknowledgment

Funding for the preservation of this program made possible through a grant by Save America’s Treasures, a program of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Related places

Berkeley (Calif.) (was recorded at)
Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Amirkhanian, Charles
Adams, John, 1947-
Goodman, Alice
Duykers, John
Maddalena, James
Hammons, Thomas
Opatz, Mari
Friedman, Stephanie
Dry, Marion
Page, Carolann
Sylvan, Sanford
Craney, Trudy Ellen
De Waart, Edo