"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Saturday, July 7, 2012

*Nixon in China*


I know those of you who read my Opera Posts know that this Summer, my favourite opera - by far, was John Adams *Nixon In China*.  I was STUNNED  at the first rehearsal to totally fall in love with the production....




From the first haunting notes of the opera....one is caught up in the drama....and when the oh-so-lifelike *Spirit of '76* actually lands on the tarmac at Peking (now Beijing)..and the *President* descends the landing stairs.....wow!




*Nixon*....(Brian Mulligan) and his dresser!  Love that nose!



The Curtain on closing night...



Scenes from the Production



Chou En-Lai, Mao's three Secretaries, Mao, Nixon, Kissinger

Nixon and Mao

Pat Nixon seeing the *Sights of Peking*



Final Scene...the Main Characters stand in front of stands representing actual photos.


And now....the backstage photos!  You were waiting for these, right!


*Nixon* and the *People of Peking*


Chou En-Lai (the wonderful baritone Chen-Ye Yuan)


 Chairman Mao - (fabulous New Zealand tenor, Simon O'Neill) and the Waiters



Madame Mao (the astounding soprano Hye Jung Lee) and the *Red Guard*!
She means business and "speaks according to the Book"!!!  *That's the little red book of Mao's..*


Henry Kissinger, consummate diplomat and all-round Ladies man!  (Believe it or not!)








Opening Night Cupcakes and T-Shirts

You KNEW I had to try one of those hats on!

Love,

♥ Comrade Robin ♥














Posted by Robin at 11:06 AM
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14 comments:

  1. TeriJuly 7, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    Love that hat on you! I am so happy you explained everything as I have (gasp) never even heard of this opera. You keep adding to my education. Thank you.
    Hugs

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    1. RobinJuly 9, 2012 at 3:27 PM

      Teri, don't feel bad...many people haven't heard of this opera...but, it *spoke* to me...musically and dramatically! In fact, at yesterday's Opera closing, I wandered up to the Opera Shop to see if they had a CD of it...I was in luck - they had one left.....and...more luck...as a Staff Member, I got 20% off! Now, I can listen to it when I want.

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  2. sukipoetJuly 7, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    Looks wonderful. Hey the hat becomes you but I notice you didnt don one of those lovely uniforms. LOL.

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    1. RobinJuly 9, 2012 at 3:28 PM

      Suki...you witty girl! I WOULD have tried on one of the Greatcoats...but it was too hard to get in and out of one....they were really cool....

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  3. Cris, Artist in OregonJuly 7, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    They have an Opera about Nixon? Amazing. Fun to see the characters all dressed up.. oh and the last one in the photo was a beauty..:))

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    1. RobinJuly 9, 2012 at 3:34 PM

      Cris....amazingly, this opera premiered in 1987...15 years after Nixon really traveled to China and met Mao. It hasn't been done often..although the Met did it last year. (Not our production....which was superior - visually and vocally..) For me, just a girl when the real events happened in 1972,it was a fascinating look back at history. I have googled it - and even watched videos from the Nixon Library... and was so impressed with the accuracy of the sets... (Can you tell I am still enthralled with it? A-ha-ha!)
      If our version ever comes out on a DVD, you will all be getting copies!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. JosJuly 8, 2012 at 12:15 AM

    Robin you look amazing in that hat! And I am quite intrigued to find that there is an opera that stars Nixon and Kissinger ... two BIG names from the newscasts that backlit much of my childhood. How well I remember my father skimming through the TV channels to ensure we had the wall to wall news coverage of the day. Much MUCH nicer to have it sung operatically!!!

    Robin, I wanted to pop by and send you an especially warm hug and say thanks so much for your message on my blog the other day. Yes there is always hope and one must remain open to the possibilities. I really needed that reminder and you graciously provided it.

    I will have a little pootle back through your posts to catch up with things. I hope you are well in yourself Robin. Much love xx Jos

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    1. RobinJuly 9, 2012 at 3:39 PM

      Ah, Jos....you are so sweet....it is ALWAYS a joy to hear from you! I missed most of the Nixon *story* as a young girl...and I found it remarkable that he had the vision (and courage) to make this step into the future and helped open the gateway to China. Really....fascinating...and then to see how his paranoia resulted in his ultimate disgrace.

      I have been remiss in not checking up on you...a lot going on in my personal life these past few months...it's not a good excuse...but it's the truth.

      LOVE your use of the the word *Pootle*.... I think of you - and your Mum - often...sending love and strength.
      Let's both stay in touch, ok?

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. Amanda SummerJuly 9, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    these are fabulous photos robin - i love the fact that you have all this backstage access - it seems like you work with such creative and fun people. i love the staging and hope that the st. louis opera will bring nixon to their stage in a future season. kissinger is a remarkable resemblance and i love nixon's nose!

    but who can beat robin in that hat - you look mahvelous darling!!

    have a great week!

    xoxo
    amanda

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    1. RobinJuly 9, 2012 at 3:44 PM

      Amanda, my *Twin*...yes, I am very lucky as I do work with some extremely talented people....and yes, I do have a lot of access backstage....it is a perk for sure!
      If my voice had been larger, I would have become an Opera Singer.... but, I am happy to be a small part of this world....whether it be old favourites (*Lohengrin* is coming back in October)...or discovering something new and vital (to me) like *Nixon*...well...it sort of like you making a discovery of a new site buried for thousands of years...

      Oh, *Dahling* Twin...thank you for the compliment....you know I AM a *Hat Girl*....I love them!

      You have a great week too...as I go into *Opera Withdrawal*!!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. studio loloJuly 9, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    Oh my, are they opera worthy??

    It looks like a wonderful production! And yes my dear LS, you are adorable in that hat ;)

    xo
    BS

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    1. RobinJuly 9, 2012 at 3:46 PM

      OMG....my *BS* is here!Wonderful to see you - particularly on an opera post!

      Yes, I think Nixon and Mao WERE worthy in 1972....what they did was really astounding..and I doubt it could ever have happened in 2012...

      The production made it come alive....the music reached into one's heart and made you care...

      And hey...those hats were really cool!!!!!

      Love,

      ♥ LS ♥

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  7. marianneJuly 11, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    I know you liked this one a lot! Great pictures I bet it was impressive on stage!
    And you look cool in that hat :) Not really Chinese but pretty!
    I havent made the post yet but I have been busy, as always. Lost 2 matches so I am out of the tournament..... :(
    Yesterday was all about tennis. First I played all morning (for fun) I slept the afternoon...and in the evening my mixed double which I lost but we played a good match :)
    Enjoy your summer break dear!
    ♥M

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  8. Secret Agent WomanJuly 13, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Love the photos, but especially the last one!
    ♥

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