John-Adams-c-Musacchio Ianniello Pasqualini

The Death of Klinghoffer still relevant today

Programme

  • John Adams The death of Klinghoffer

SPIEGEL HALL 12:25-12:50 PM - Introduction on The Death of Klinghoffer

In 1991, John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer premiered at La Monnaie in Brussels. The Dutch premiere: Edo de Waart at the Matinee, ten years later. The composer is overjoyed that his controversial opera can once again be performed.

Humanism and controversy
The Death of Klinghoffer is based on the true story of the 1985 hijacking of the passenger ship Achille Lauro by the PLO, in which disabled Jewish-American passenger Leon Klinghoffer was shot dead and thrown into the sea with wheelchair and all. Since the opera highlights both the Israeli and Palestinian points of view in a humanistic manner, there was immediate controversy at its performances in the US. This is also why the play is rarely performed. It was John Adams' deep desire that this very work be played again now.

John Adams' lyricism
John Adams, a returning guest at the Matinee for decades, is over 75 now. Along with Philip Glass and Steve Reich, he belongs to the top of the "American school," while allowing himself great musical liberties. The combination of pure minimalism and compelling lyricism gives his music its own intimate color. In Klinghoffer, this individuality is expressed in the reflective monologues of the soloists, in regular alternation with large choruses. Through that alternation, the work approaches Bach's Passions, in which the same humanistic breath hovers.

Date:
Saturday, 3 June 2023
Time:
13:00 hours
Intermission:
Yes
Location:
The Royal Concertgebouw

Amsterdam
-
Large Hall

Performers

Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
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John Adams -c-Vern Evans
John Adams
Conductor
Netherlands Radio Choir
Choir
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Benjamin Goodson - Photo: Paolo Ferla
Benjamin Goodson
Choir conductor
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John Moore
Baritone, Leon Klinghoffer
Elizabeth DeShong
Mezzo-Soprano, Marilyn Klinghoffer
Elliot Madore
Baritone, The Captain
Sarah Castle
Mezzo-Soprano, Swiss Grandmother
Joshua Bloom
Bass, Rambo
Rodrick Dixon
Tenor, Molqi
Ross Ramgobin
Baritone, Mamoud
Olivia Vermeulen
Mezzo-soprano, Idris
Anne Marie Stanley
Mezzo-Soprano, Austrian Woman
Frederik Bergman
Bass-baritone, The First Officer
Laetitia Gerards
Soprano, British Dance Girl

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