It's hard to believe that it has been 25 years since John Adams' "Nixon in China" opera hit the opera stage.
That work, which has a libretto by Alice Goodman, has aged very well.
And it is only fitting that the anniversary gets honored when the San Francisco Opera performs the Bay Area permiere of the work, starting June 8.
After all, the opera was originally co-commissioned by current San Francisco Opera general director David Gockley, during his tenure leading the Houston Grand Opera.
The work is an adaptation of Richard Nixon's 1972 presidential trip to Beijing, China. In San Francisco the company will perform a Vancouver Opera production directed by Michael Cavanagh.
The cast includes Brian Mulligan (Richard Nixon), Maria Kanyova (Pat Nixon), Simon O'Neill (Mao Tse-tung), Hye Jung Lee (Madame Mao Tse-tung), and Chen-Ye Yuan (Chou En-lai). To be conducted by Lawrence Renes.
The opera is one of three productions that the company will offer this summer, which include Verdi's "Attila" and Mozart's "Magic Flute."
Nixon in China
WHEN: 7:30 pm, June 14 and July 3; 8:00 p.m. June 22 and 30; 2 p.m. June 17
WHERE: War memorial Opera House, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
TICKETS: $21-$263
INFORMATION: (415) 864-3330; www.sfopera.org








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