Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony will join forces to produce a live recording of the company’s June 7-14 production of composer John Adams’ acclaimed 1987 opera, “Nixon in China,” both organizations announced today.
The recording was made possible by conductor Marin Alsop’s longtime relationship with the Naxos label, which will produce and distribute the resulting release some time in 2009.
Alsop, the CSO’s conductor laureate, will lead the production, which will feature the symphony as the pit orchestra. Each of the four performances will be recorded, and the recording will be assembled from them.
“Nixon in China” will be Alsop’s first full-length opera release, and it will be the first recording in the 25-year history of Opera Colorado and the first made in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
The release will be only the second recording ever of “Nixon in China,” which many experts consider to be the most important opera of the last quarter of the 20th century.
” ‘Nixon in China’ is one of the great masterpieces of the 20th century, bringing us in touch with a decisive moment in American history,” Alsop said in press statement.
“John Adams’ music is highly evocative, inherently American and absolutely wonderful. It is filled with humor, profound emotion and pure fun. I am thrilled to be recording this great work with the CSO, an orchestra I love and respect.”
