Nixon in China update

Dancer/choreographer extraordinaire, Seán Curran
Janelle Gelfand reports some casting news for the Cincinnati Opera's production of John Adams' Nixon in China, to be conducted by Paavo's brother, Kristjan, in his Cincinnati debut.

Two decades after its world premiere (1987), John Adams’ minimalist opera, “Nixon in China,” will be mounted by Cincinnati Opera this summer (July 12 and 14).

Robert Orth and Maureen O’Flynn star as President and Mrs. Nixon, during their historic 1972 visit to China to meet Chairman Mao Zedong. Cincinnati favorite Thomas Hammons is Henry Kissinger, a role he created for the 1987 premiere at Houston Grand Opera.

Conductor Kristjan Järvi (brother of Paavo Järvi) will make his company debut and Seán Curran, original cast member of the New York cast of “Stomp,” will be choreographer.

Cincinnati Opera will present the 2004 St. Louis production by James Robinson, which uses video media techniques.

New subscriptions will be available in March and single tickets will go on sale in May. Information: 513-241-2742, www.cincinnatiopera.org. All performances take place in Music Hall.

Out of all the new information presented here, the part that most intrigues me is the selection of Seán Curran as choreographer for this 20th anniversary production. I had the great pleasure of seeing Mr. Curran and his company several years ago when they performed in Cincinnati as part of Contemporary Dance Theater's Guest Artist Series at the Aronoff Center and, to this day, I remember it as one of the most exhilarating evenings of creative dance I have ever seen. This production is definitely one to put on your "must see" list for 2007!