The Cathedral of St. John the Divine presents contemporary composer John Adams’ El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered, an AMOC* production, with libretto by Peter Sellars and concept by AMOC* member, Julia Bullock.
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine presents contemporary composer John Adams’ El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered, an AMOC* production, with libretto by Peter Sellars and concept by AMOC* member, Julia Bullock.
The piece, which celebrates Latin American poets and the voices of women, returns for a one-night-only engagement this holiday season.
The cast of this Christmas oratorio features AMOC* company members soprano Julia Bullock, guest soloist contralto Jasmine White, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, Violinists Keir Gogwilt, Miranda Cuckson, Cellist Coleman Itzkoff, bassist Doug Balliett, flutist Emi Ferguson, pianist Conor Hanick, percussionist Jonny Allen. Additional New York-based musicians and The Choir of Trinity Wall Street join the AMOC* members.
The annual event will be conducted by rising star Christian Reif, who created the new arrangement and premiered the initial iteration of the piece at the Cloisters in 2018. A rarely performed work, El Niño "ruminates on the notion that with the promise of new life, there is the equal threat of inexplicable violence and sacrifice," said Bullock, who curated the selections being performed.
El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered
Music by John Adams
Libretto compilation by Peter Sellars
Concept and musical selections by Julia Bullock
Musical Arrangement by Christian Reif
An AMOC* production at The Cathedral of St. John The Divine
Featuring AMOC* with The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, conducted by Christian Reif
