B BSO/Classical New England — 2026/04/11

 This evening WCRB gives us the concert which was performed two weeks ago. Here's their description: https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra/2026-04-07/american-icons-adams-nixon-in-china-and-dvoraks-new-world

Saturday, April 11, 2026
8:00 PM

Opera luminaries Thomas Hampson and Renée Fleming perform three scenes from John Adams’ groundbreaking Nixon in China with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. Inspired by Richard Nixon's 1972 visit to the People's Republic of China, Nixon in China is considered one of the most consequential operas in American history. After, Andris Nelsons leads the Boston Symphony in Antonín Dvořák's New World Symphony, which was composed when Dvořák's was living in the U.S. Bursting with sweeping melodies, Dvořák's Ninth Symphony blends Bohemian soul with the spirit of America.

John ADAMS Three Scenes from Nixon in China     
Antonín DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, From the New World  

This concert was recorded on March 28, 2026 at Symphony Hall.

The BSO performance detail page puts it like this: https://www.bso.org/events/mar-26-28-adams-dvorak?performance=2026-03-28-20:00

Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons, conductor Renée Fleming, soprano (Pat Nixon) Thomas Hampson, baritone (Richard Nixon) Tanglewood Festival Chorus Lisa Wong, guest choral conductorJohn ADAMS Three Scenes from Nixon in China*       intermissionDVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, From the New World  

*Performed with English supertitles

John Adams’ Nixon in China redefined opera by taking as its subject matter recent world events. Opera luminaries Thomas Hampson and Renée Fleming bring excerpts from this groundbreaking work to the Symphony Hall stage. Nixon in China established Adams as the most significant opera composer of the past 50 years. Composed while the Czech Antonín Dvořák was living in the U.S., the New World Symphonybursts with sweeping melodies, blending Bohemian soul with the spirit of America and incorporating the sounds and songs of both worlds into the iconic and oft-quoted work we know today.

The program notes are still available and may be interesting.

There is a nice review https://classical-scene.com/2026/03/28/bso-icons/ in the Intelligencer. The Globe review https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/28/arts/andris-nelsons-bso-dvorak-ovations/?event=event12 is more a news story, and is tepid when it comes to the performances.

I saw a performance of Nixon in China once. One line that has stuck with me is when the Nixons are in their hotel room reminiscing about their experience during WWII, and he says, "The Pacific Theater was nothing to write home about."

I think the show should be worth listening to.