Immerse yourself in the gripping narrative of John Adams' "Doctor Atomic," a monumental opera that delves into the tense hours leading up to the first atomic bomb test at Alamogordo, New Mexico. This 2018 release from Nonesuch Records is a masterclass in minimalism and avant-garde composition, spanning over two and a half hours of intense, thought-provoking music.
Composed by the renowned John Adams, with a libretto by Peter Sellars, "Doctor Atomic" is a powerful exploration of the human and scientific drama surrounding the Manhattan Project. The opera is divided into two acts, each filled with intricate scenes and arias that bring the historical events to life. From the meticulous preparations to the final countdown, every moment is captured with Adams' signature style, blending orchestral grandeur with electronic textures.
The album features a stellar cast and orchestra, bringing depth and nuance to each character and scene. Highlights include the haunting aria "Batter My Heart" from Act I, Scene 3, and the dramatic countdown in Act II, Scene 4. The libretto weaves together historical dialogue, poetry, and scientific jargon, creating a rich tapestry of language that complements the music perfectly.
"Doctor Atomic" is not just an opera; it's a historical and cultural artifact, offering a unique perspective on one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century. Whether you're a fan of opera, classical music, or history, this album is a compelling listen that will leave a lasting impression. With its blend of minimalist composition, avant-garde techniques, and powerful storytelling, "Doctor Atomic" is a testament to John Adams' genius and his ability to create music that resonates on multiple levels.
Tracks
Adams: Doctor Atomic: OvertureJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "The end of June 1945"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "First of all, let me say"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "We surround the plutonium core"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "We are bedeviled by faulty detonators"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "Many of us are inclined to say"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "The nation's fate..."John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "This is a petition"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "What if it's a dud?"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "The test must go on as scheduled"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 1: "No, before the bomb is used"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 2: "Am I in your light?"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 2: "Long let me inhale, deeply"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 2: "The motive of it all was loneliness"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: Electrical stormJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "What the hell is wrong with the weather?"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "Five hundred U.S. Superfortresses are raining bombs"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "I'll sign the report, sir"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "With respect, sir, anyone with two good eyes"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "I have been preoccupied with many matters"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "Get them out of here. From now on, I'm making my own weather predictions"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "General, you are bearing up with remarkable fortitude"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act I, Scene 3: "Batter my heart"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 1: "Easter Eve, 1945"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 1: Interlude - Rain over the Sangre de CristoJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 1: "In the north the cloud-flower blossoms"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "It's midnight, Jack"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "I've dreamed the same dream"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "To the farthest west, the sea and the striped country"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "A delay in the Potsdam Ultimatum"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "Fermi is taking wagers"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "I've spent a great deal of time indulging in controlled fantasies"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 2: "Edward, the test will be delayed an hour"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: PanicJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "This program has been plagued from the start"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "To keep the weakness secret"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "I just finished reading The Magic Mountain"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "The winter dawned, but the dead did not come back"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "And love, which contains all human spirit"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: "The only saviors are the ham sandwiches"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 3: Chorus - "At the sight of this"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "Lieutenant Bush, keep a weather eye on Oppenheimer"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "To what benevolent demon do I owe the joy of being thus surrounded"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "That's their signal!"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "The sky is clear to the east"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "In the midnight, in the flame-brilliant midnight"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Julia Bullock
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: "Zero minus two minutes"John Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Gerald Finley
Adams: Doctor Atomic, Act II, Scene 4: CountdownJohn Adams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
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