Adams’s controversial opera, with libretto by Alice Goodman, addresses the 1985 terrorist hijacking of the Achille Lauro ocean liner. Following its 1991, Peter Sellars–directed premiere, the New York Times said the work “transmutes contemporary history into operatic poetry.”
The CD of this album is available to purchase at ArkivMusic.
Adams’s controversial opera, with libretto by Alice Goodman, addresses the 1985 terrorist hijacking of the Achille Lauro ocean liner. Following its 1991, Peter Sellars–directed premiere, the New York Times said the work “transmutes contemporary history into operatic poetry.” The Los Angeles Times' Mark Swed calls it "a haunting and meaningful meditation on terrorism, its roots and causes," and The New Statesman says it's "an intense and solemn St. Matthew Passion for the late 20th century."
PRODUCTION CREDITS
The premiere performances of The Death of Klinghoffer took place at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels (March 19, 1991), the Opéra de Lyon (April 13, 1991), and the Brooklyn Academy of Music (September 5, 1991).
Music by John Adams
Libretto by Alice Goodman
Peter Sellars, director
Kent Nagano, musical director
Mark Morris, choreography
George Tsypin, set design
Dunya Ramicova, costume design
James F. Ingalls, lighting design
Jonathan Deans, sound design
John Boesche, projection design
FIRST RECORDING
Produced by John McClure
Recorded April and July 1991 at Auditorium Maurice Ravel, Lyon, France
Balance Engineer: John Newton
Recording Engineer: Henk Jansen
Recording and Editing Engineer: Everett Porter
Stage Sound Design: Jonathan Deans
Stage Production Sound Engineer: Graham Carmichael
Audio Assistant: Susan Presson
Production Coordinator: Kathryn King
Design by John Heiden
Cover photo by Joel Meyerowitz
Executive Producer: Robert Hurwitz
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MUSICIANS
Cast (in order of appearance):
The Captain: James Maddalena
The First Officer / “Rambo”: Thomas Hammons
Swiss Grandmother / Austrian Woman / British Dancing Girl: Janice Felty
Molqi: Thomas Young
Mamoud: Eugene Perry
Leon Klinghoffer: Sanford Sylvan
Omar: Stephanie Friedman
Marilyn Klinghoffer: Sheila Nadler
Orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon
Kent Nagano, musical director and conductor
The London Opera Chorus
Richard Cooke, director
