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Opéra de Paris: 'Nixon in China'

John Adams Nixon in China cover art
John Adams' first opera, Nixon in China, was released by Nonesuch in 1988.

Thomas Hampson and Renée Fleming star in the recent Opéra de Paris production of John Adams' "Nixon in China."

Gustavo Dudamel conducted the performance.

The opera, about President Nixon's 1972 trip to China, features saxophones, synthesizer and extra percussion instruments.

Listen Saturday at 1 p.m. on Classical IPR.

Read the libretto.

Libretto: Alice Goodman

Venue: Opéra Bastille, Paris

Presenting Company: Opéra de Paris

Cast:

Richard Nixon: Thomas Hampson

Pat Nixon: Renée Fleming

Zhou Enlai: Xiaomeng Zhang

Henry Kissinger: Joshua Bloom

Nancy Tang, First Secretary to Mao: Yajie Zhang

Mao Zedong: John Matthew Myers

Chiang Ch’ing: Kathleen Kim

Second Secretary to Mao: Ning Liang

Third Secretary to Mao: Emanuela Pascu

Ensemble: Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Chorus Director: Ching-Lien Wu

Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel