The opera that turned politics into art
Nixon in China, composed by John Adams in 1987, is one of the most innovative operas of the 20th century. This production, directed by Valentina Carrasco, arrives at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía as part of its 2026-2027 season, with four performances scheduled: 24 and 28 April, and 30 April and 2 May 2027. The work, considered the first "CNN opera", transforms a historic moment—the 1972 visit of Richard Nixon to Mao Zedong’s China—into an intimate portrait of power, propaganda, and human vulnerability.
A minimalist score for a historic event
Adams’ music, with its hypnotic rhythms and heroic fanfares, reflects the clash between two ideologically opposed worlds. The score, written in the minimalist style that revolutionised contemporary opera, humanises historical figures like Nixon, Mao, and their wives, revealing their doubts and contradictions beyond their public image. The libretto, by Alice Goodman, blends the epic with the everyday, creating a surreal portrait of an event that changed history.
A visually striking staging
Stage director Valentina Carrasco, known for productions like Luisa Miller at Les Arts, delivers an imaginative and symbolic proposal. Her acclaimed European production uses ping-pong diplomacy—the 1971 exchange of table tennis players between the U.S. and China—as a visual metaphor. The ping-pong tables represent the Cold War, ideological confrontation, and the percussive rhythm of Adams’ music. The surrealist aesthetic of the production reflects how the media shapes perceptions of power.
Cast and musical direction
Baritone Thomas Hampson, one of the most prominent interpreters of Nixon, reprises the role in Valencia after his success at the Paris Opera. The Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV), under the baton of Cornelius Meister, will perform Adams’ score in the composer’s 80th anniversary year. The opera, sung in English, will feature subtitles in Spanish and Valencian.
