Nixon In China (Opera): Act II Scene 2a - "紅色娘子軍"

[ernestalba]

I'm learning more and more every week about this opera, and it's been a revelation. This opera is a true masterpiece and will likely enjoy a comfortable place in the standard repertoire.

[golgicomplex]

I remember reading somewhere (either "Hallelujah Junction" or an article in the John Adams Reader) that this entire scene was supposed to sound like ten different composers wrote it, completely unaware of what anyone else was doing.

[greatleader99]

This is a very interesting opera. wonderful!

[guolipeng]

awesome

[tedsler]

Does anyone know if the "ballet" scene has been put up as well..? I would love to see it :))

[flipsyboy]

I think that motif on the high strings at 6:06 is "Salome's Desire" from Strauss' Salome. The bit with Mrs. Nixon handing the Red Army scout the orange drink (rather than the gun) at that moment is a bit of staging genius.

[SeanMcHugh02]

Yes, there's Walkure here, and Rite of Spring and a bunch of other scores Adam's fitted on his desk, but he gets away with it. This is the about the weirdest most powerful thing in late 20th c opera.

[nickbigd]

I' m looking for the clip of Pat Nixon's aria, This is Prophetic.  Can't find it on youtube... anyone?

[jackal59]

Does anyone else think that the high strings from 6:10 on are quoting/referring to Wotan's farewell to Brunhild in the last act of _Die Walküre_? In fact, when Nixon comes down the ramp from Air Force One in the first scene, I think the trumpets quote Siegfried's horn call as well.

[asnothe]

It may be that the man with the gun is supposed to be Siegfried waking her up from the magic sleep, or they are supposed to be Siegmund and Sieglinde (Sieglinde gives Siegmunde a drink). Romantic vs "Brotherly" love.

[abcaster]

That's interesting. I've always heard Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils at that point :)

[thetheatreofmadness]

Sounds like bits of Salome too.

I agree with some Walkure though.

[Waldvogel91]

Mt favourite opera of the latter half of the 20th Century.

Just full of sparkling music-never a dull moment.

[galakatz]

I wonder when we will cease to demonize female politicians under the guise of righteous indignation?  Chiang Ch'ing was at least partially responsible for the deaths of around 2 million Chinese civilians during the Cultural Revolution. I guess Gov. Palin's got some catching up to do, eh?

[wshen5]

do not worry, it is just an opera; and the truth of this story is that the red dressed girl was finally rescued by the communists after the revolution.

[guangzhiqibing]

好强的说...佩服

[jlent]

Madame Mao reminds me of Sarah Palin.

[frank0n0furter]

How exactly does the freeloading wife of a man who killed an estimated 80 million people remind you of a one-term governor of Alaska?

[jlent]

Chill. It's just an opera. But if you must know, it's the look, especially in the thunderstorm. As another poster here said of Madame Mao, "the face of terror." Just what I would expect of an incompetant and a bully like Palin if she ever got real power. She'd make Cheney look like a Boy Scout helping an old lady across the street.

[CliffX]

You. Betcha.

[oscarnotwild]

Those people with such hatred for Palin reminds me of Madame Mao and her thugs.

Intolerance and suppression of any opposite views is Madame Mao's creed as well as many tyrants'.

[Atttacca]

please post more! love this opera.

[meriomeri]

So brilliant.

[newsoftheworld123]

the face of terror...Mao Zedong's wife...

[roxprofi]

It is an opera (The Red Detachment of Women) set within the opera describe pre revolutionary times. Not terror of Madam Mao. If you know the context better.

[newsoftheworld123]

I realize and meant no offense, I was simply rather superficially commenting on her menacing look when she comes out in front of the curtain. I wasn't exactly making an assumption concerning the actual action taking place on stage. Thanks for the heads up though.

[roxprofi]

I see. Perhaps I misunderstood your saying.

[oscarnotwild]

The Red Detachment of Women is a ballet.