Το συγκλονιστικό φινάλε της πρώτης πράξης του Nixon In China, όπερας του John Adams – πηγή έμπνευσης η ιστορική πρώτη επίσκεψη Αμερικανού προέδρου (Richard Nixon) στην Κίνα το 1972. Η πρεμιέρα του έργου δόθηκε τον Οκτώβριο του 1987 στη Huston Grand Opera. Οι χαρακτήρες στο απόσπασμα που ακούμε : Nixon, Kissinger – υπουργός εξωτερικών, Pat – σύζυγος Νίξον, Chou En Lai – πρωθυπουργός υπό τον πρόεδρο Μάο. 🔴 🔴 The amazing finale of Act 1 from Nixon In China, opera by John Adams– inspired by the historic first visit of an American president (Richard Nixon) to China in 1972. The work premiered at the Houston Grand Opera on October 1987. The characters on this excerpt : Nixon, Kissinger – secretary of state, Pat – Nixon’s wife, Chou En Lai – premier under Chairman Mao.

00:00 “Mr. Premier, Distinguished Guests” 02:47 “Cheers”

NIXON
Mr. Premier, distinguished guests,
I have attended many feasts
but never have I so enjoyed a dinner,
nor have I heard placed better the music
that I love outside America.
I move a vote of thanks to one
and all whose efforts made this possible.
No one who heard could but admire
your eloquent remarks, Premier,
and millions more hear what we say
through satellite technology
than ever heard a public speech before.
No one is out of touch telecommunication
has broadcast your message into space.
Yet soon our words won’ t be recalled
while what we do can change the world.
We have at times been enemies,
we still have differences, God knows.
But let us, in these next five days,
start a long march on new highways,
in different lanes, but parallel
and heading for a single goal.
The world watches and listens.
We must seize the hour and seize the day.
This is the hour!

CHOU

Your health!

PAT

And yours!

CHOU

To Doctor Kissinger!

NIXON

Cheers!

KISSINGER

Cheers!
New friends and present company!
NIXON

To Chairman Mao!

CHOU

The U.S.A.!

PAT

Have you forgotten Washington
CHOU

Washington’s birthday!

NIXON

Everyone listen, just let me say one thing. I opposed China. I was wrong. KISSINGER

Bottoms up, Mr. President.

PAT

What did you say, Sweetheart? I can’t Catch every word in all this noise. CHORUS 1

We have at times been enemies.
CHORUS 2

The Chinese people are renowned.
NIXON

Ideas we have entertained …

PAT

“America the Beautiful!”

CHORUS 1

We must broadcast seeds of goodwill.
CHORUS 2

Comrades and friends …

NIXON
… in former years
 Grow in a night to touch the stars.
CHORUS

Look down and think what the Chinese People have done to earn this praise. KISSINGER

You won’ t believe how moved I am.
CHORUS

We marvel now.

NIXON

It’ s like a dream.