Nixon In China: Act II Scene 2b - I'm the Wife of Mao Zedong

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John Adams's first opera Nixon In China (1985-7), produced by Peter Sellars, with libretto by Alice Goodman, about the visit of Richard Nixon to China in 1972, where he met with Mao Zedong and other Chinese officials.
Act II Ending -
Madam Mao desires to save the peasants at all costs leading her to become more brutal than the landlord was in the first place. Eventually, a riot develops on stage with Chou and Madam Mao on opposite sides - the opera has become a rerun of the Cultural Revolution.
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Quote from Lyrics: (Chiang Ch'ing 江青)"I am the wife of Mao Tse-Tung who raised the weak above the strong. When I appear[,] the people hang upon my words".

• Category

  Music

[Ringkichardthethird]

So I suppose she speaks according to the book.

[John Warner]

Perhaps minimalist opera - one of the greatest operas of the late twentieth century isn't your cup of tea but I disagree with you that it is "crap".

[Lucy Elston]

Who is she?

[rscmrsmd]

Astonishing. Her shrill voice is perfect for this character and this aria. The entire opera is wonderful in fact. I love the ballet as well.

[rofklaw]

Take for example a person who did not speak an ounce of English, and had no real knowledge of the political history of China. The music they would experience would still affect them in some way. The organization of sound is still meaningful. However, if you are unable to comprehend the antisemitism in Hitler's book, then too much of the meaning is lost on the reader.

Also bravo on moving straight to Nazi comparison. You sir, have mastered the art of debate.

[rofklaw]

allow me to explain why what you just tried to do is a false analogy. While you are correct in assuming that the lyrics of this song and the actual music are not totally inseparable, they are not as closely linked as the antisemitism in Mein Kampf and the political theory.

[ShouHai Liu]

regardless of the antisemitism messages, the true political theory lies in Mein Kampf that Hitler wrote. Its intelligence transcends nationality and human races.

[rofklaw]

regardless of the message of the lyrics and libretto, the true imagination lies in the music that Adams wrote. It's beauty transcends nationality.

[ShouHai Liu]

ROFL, the unbounded imagination of great USA people made me LMAO

[300musicmaster]

i love how she was demoted to the trio in the met production, but hey when they can afford Kathleen Kim...

[yemonjastanley]

When she sings "revolution"... I could just replay that high note over and over :D

[Clementine80210]

Unbelievably shrill voice - gives me chills.  Love it.