“Nixon in China”: Much More than Minimalism

Considered an important opera of the 20th century for both its subject matter and its music, John Adams’ “Nixon in China” is based on the historic 1972 meeting between U.S. President Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao Tse-Tung of the People’s Republic of China. Just as in Puccini’s greatest operas, Adams wrote music that gives local color (1930’s big band, neo-classicism, electronic synthesizer sounds, minimalism, lush late-romanticism) to the score while also propelling the drama forward. Timothy Urban, professor of music at Rider University, presents on how understanding the many musical styles and their relationship to the story will greatly enhance appreciation of one of the finest examples of this American opera.

Co-sponsored by the library and the Princeton Festival.