The reviews are in for Nixon in China and the critics are impressed. Excepts of the reviews are posted below, click the links for to read the full reviews.
Robert Trussell of The Kansas City Star:
“The Lyric Opera’s production of ‘Nixon in China’ is in a word, stunning…with splendid performances by exceptional soloists, innovative staging and a jaw-dropping physical production, this show is one for the books.”
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Lee Hartman of KCMetropolis.org:
“’Nixon in China’ was a visual, aural, psychological, and philological tour de force filled with timely allusions and timeless humanity. Building off an already remarkable season, the Lyric outdid itself with this gutsy show.”
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William Carl Ferleman of popmatters.com:
“Overall, this production of Nixon in China was quite extraordinary and exceptional. The Lyric Opera of Kansas City should be proud.”
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This production was spell-bounding! The soloist were outstanding, the chorus was awesome! The visual scenes were like none I had experenced at a Lyric production! Who could ever imagine an airplane on stage. Hats off to the production staff and the Kauffman Center! Can’t wait for next season.
Get honest! Slow moving and poorly done. Act three missed a big opportunity!
Great production and wonderful performances in what must be one of the most awful operas ever. After the 707 touchdown, its all down hill. Act III is shear agony.
Nixon is wearing no clothes
What a magnificent, outstanding production. The singers, orchestra, and chorus were all superb. The production was thrilling to watch. Bravo, KC Lyric.
My wife & I almost left after the first act, but stayed. The second act was a little better due to the dancing. I have had season tickets for a number of years and this was just about the worst I have ever seen–I don’t care how technicaly spectacular was the production. There was no music worth listening to, and the words were mostly riddles and parables. And I’m still trying to figure out why Madame Mao said something like “Let’s show the motherfuckers how to dance”. I don’t usually swear, but since the opera did, I will say that the motherfucker sucked. Since I have only a four year degree perhaps I’m just not intelligent or educated enough to “get it”.
Wonderful!! Didn’t see why the “f” word was necessary though. Beautiful ballet & the airplane scenes was unbelievable.
When I read in Mr. Luskin’s brief autobiograpy that some would find the music problematic, I knew that, for me, this one was best left to the afficanados.
What a waste of talent. But who could tell whether a wrong note was played or sung.
On three different occasions I have tried to watch NiC on PBS and have yet to hit the fifteen minute mark. I stayed home rather than suffer through this. I thought it would be impossible for an opera to be as bad as “Turandot” was good, bit NiC is awful.
Terrible! The individual performances were very good. However, the overall performance was a HUGE step backward after Turandot and Cosi. I know of no one that had anything good to say about it. I am confused by the flowery “feel-good” write ups that the critics crafted. Either they were at a different performance or are unwilling to provide an honest review.
I expected to hate NIXON IN CHINA as I have always despised Nixon. This opera actually changed me. For the first time in 40 years, I was able to see Nixon as a man rather than as an abstract political figure representing everything I hated. I would not go again (I’m not sophisticated enough to enjoy much of the music), but I am a thousand percent glad I went, and I got rid of that angry spot inside me. I thought this was a brilliant production with a dynamite cast, excellent stage direction, and an amazing set and special effects.
Terry Frazier
Vietnam Vet
Broomfield, CO