Dive into the profound and controversial world of John Adams' "The Death of Klinghoffer," a groundbreaking opera that transcends traditional boundaries of music and storytelling. This two-act opera, with a prologue, is based on the harrowing events of the 1985 hijacking of the passenger liner Achille Lauro by the Palestine Liberation Front, culminating in the tragic murder of Leon Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old Jewish-American passenger.
Composed by John Adams with a libretto by Alice Goodman, this opera is a powerful exploration of the complexities of conflict, myth, and history. The music, characterized by Adams' signature minimalist style, weaves a tapestry of choral and orchestral textures that bring the narrative to life with haunting beauty and raw intensity. The opera's structure, which blends elements of opera and oratorio, offers a unique listening experience that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving.
Recorded by the Orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon under the direction of Kent Nagano, this 1992 release captures the opera's full scope and depth. The double album spans over two hours, providing an immersive journey through the opera's two acts and prologue. From the choral prologue that sets the stage with the voices of exiled Palestinians and Jews to the dramatic climax of Klinghoffer's death, each track is a testament to Adams' mastery of composition and Goodman's poetic libretto.
"The Death of Klinghoffer" is not just an opera; it is a profound meditation on the human condition, the consequences of violence, and the enduring search for understanding and reconciliation. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a curious explorer of contemporary music, this album offers a rich and rewarding experience that will leave a lasting impression.
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Prologue: Chorus of Exiled PalestiniansJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Prologue: Chorus of Exiled JewsJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "It was just after 1:15"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "My Grandson Didi, who was two"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "Give these orders"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "So I said to my grandson"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "We are sorry for you"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: Ocean ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "Now it is night"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "I think if you could talk like this"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "I have often reflected that this is no ship"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "I kept my distance"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: "Those birds flying above us"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act I: Night ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: Hagar ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "Come here. Look"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "I've never been a violent man"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "You are always complaining of your suffering"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "I must have been hysterical"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "It is as if our earthly life were spent miserably"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: Desert ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "My one consolation"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: Klinghoffer's DeathJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "Every fifteen minutes, one more will be shot"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: Aria of the Falling Body (Gymnopédie)John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: Day ChorusJohn Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "Mrs. Klinghoffer, please sit down"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
Adams: The Death of Klinghoffer, Act II: "You embraced them!"John Adams, Kent Nagano, The Opera De Lyon, London Opera Chorus
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