Opera Bites: "Nixon in China" captures moment in American history

On Saturday the high-definition broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera will be John Adams' "Nixon in China." The performance begins at noon at the AMC Town Plaza 5 in Cape Girardeau.

This opera premiered in 1987. Adams has described the meeting between U.S. President Richard Nixon and Chinese leader Mao Zedong as "a mythological moment in American history."

Act 1 starts on Feb. 21, 1972, on an airfield outside of Peking, China. Officials are waiting for President Nixon's plane to land. When he disembarks, everyone shakes hands. An hour later, Nixon and Chairman Mao meet, though it is difficult to carry on a conversation with the Chinese leader. There is a banquet that night and everyone is euphoric about being together. The president makes a toast to the Chinese people and hopes for peace.

Act II begins in the morning. Mrs. Nixon is taken on a tour of the city and receives a glass elephant from the workers in the Peking Glass factory. The tour continues and ends up at the Ming Tombs just before sunset. In the evening, the Nixons attend a ballet.

As Act III begins, it is the last evening in Peking. The pomp of the official visit is over and the main characters retire to their bedrooms. They begin to reminisce about the past. The opera ends with the Chinese premier, Chou-En-lai, asking if anything that they did was good.

James Maddalena, who portrayed Nixon at the opera's premier, will again be singing the role and the opera will be conducted by the composer, making his Met debut.

"Nixon in China" is one of few modern operas to have remained in the standard repertory since its premiere.

Barbara Herbert is an opera lover and host of KRCU's "Sunday Night at the Opera."