Το συγκλονιστικό φινάλε της πρώτης πράξης του Nixon In China, όπερας του John Adams – από τις σημαντικότερες φυσιογνωμίες του February born club.
The amazing finale of Act 1 from Nixon In China, opera by John Adams – one of the most important figures of the February born club.
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.
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I vaguely remember Nixon’s visit to China as some kind of big deal but not the specifics. I had no idea an opera was written about it.
Adams’ operas are usually inspired by historical events.
Another one is The Death of Klinghoffer
https://oannes.gr/john-adams-ocean-chorus-the-death-of-klinghoffer-1991/
whose theme is the hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship and the murder of Leon Klinghoffer by Palestinian terrorists in 1985.
Thank you for the additional information!
Different, thank you!