The Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Opera Colorado Chorus, conducted by Marin Alsop, recorded John Adams’ opera Nixon in China for Naxos. Performances took place at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, and were live recorded from 5 to 15 June. Tim Handley was the producer-engineer. The cast included Maria Kanyova (Pat Nixon), Robert Orth (Richard Nixon), Marc Heller (Mao Tse-Tung), Tracy Dahl (Madame Mao) and Thomas Hammons (Henry Kissinger). Based on President Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972, this is the first recording of Adams’ internationally celebrated opera since the 1987 première at the Houston Grand Opera.

Read the excellent reviews of the recent performances of Nixon in China in Denver:

Denver Post: Now more than ever, “Nixon in China” shines
The New York Times: The Nixonian Psyche, With Arias and a Bluish Glow
San Francisco Chronicle: ‘Nixon in China’ grows as events recede

From left to right: Robert Orth (Richard Nixon), Marc Heller (Mao Tse-Tung), Chenye Yuan (Chou En-Lai) and Thomas Hammons (Henry Kissinger) in Colorado Opera’s “Nixon in China”, June 2008
Photo by Matthew Staver