By Long Beach Opera’s “Nixon in China” teaches the audience about a historical moment through music provided by a brilliant orchestra and accompanying singers.
The contemporary opera plays at the Terrace Theatre for two evenings this month. This is the first time in two decades it has been performed in California.
President Nixon, starring Michael Chioldi, goes to China in 1972 to meet Chairman Mao Tse-Tung, played by John Duykers.
Composer John Adams describes “Nixon in China” as “part epic, part satire, part a parody of political posturing, and part serious examination of historical, philosophical and even gender issues.”
The production includes talented opera singers that mesmerize the audience. For example, the leading baritone, Chioldi, booms his voice in all seriousness, but hints at comical expressions that Nixon would do, like the well-known double peace signs.
For the most part, the orchestra seems to have a more melodic symphony feel with hints of jazz when scenes are calm.
The music is brilliant to listen to on its own, but the opera singers are a little hard to keep up with. There are captions projected at the top of the theater. However, it is hard to follow the lines of the characters when multiple singers argue or converse at the same time.
The large cast of choristers sings beautifully, but the opera remains less impressive when the choreography of the cast seems out of sync. The chorus is concrete most of the time but messy at entrances.
To an audience that may be unfamiliar with the exact events that happened when Nixon went to China, the storyline isn’t hard to understand, but the transitions are rough. The problems presented in the opera feel like they are not entirely overcome. For example, in the last act, the result of the banquet led the characters to carry out a series of reminiscences. This part of the opera drags on so long that the point becomes unclear.
John Adams’ “Nixon in China” keeps the audience visually and musically attracted to the opera with bits of giggles and chuckles as a result of the characters’ occasional quirky antics. The opera is still a noteworthy performance that is worth seeing, even with a few flaws.
“Nixon in China” will be performed at the Terrace Theatre on Saturday, March 28. Student rush tickets will be available for $20 one hour prior to the show.
