description El Niño Overview
El Niño is a contemporary classical oratorio composed by American musician John Adams, premiered at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in 2000. Co-conceived with stage director Peter Sellars, the work retells the traditional Nativity story by assembling a diverse multilingual libretto. The texts are drawn from the King James Bible, the Apocrypha, and writings by Latin American poets such as Rosario Castellanos and Rubén Darío.
help El Niño FAQ
Who composed the oratorio El Niño?
El Niño was composed by American contemporary classical composer John Adams in the year 2000. The work retells the traditional Nativity story through a modern musical lens.
Did John Adams collaborate with anyone on the creation of El Niño?
Yes, Adams co-conceived the oratorio with the famous stage director Peter Sellars. Sellars helped compile the diverse, multilingual texts used for the piece's libretto.
What types of texts are used in the libretto of El Niño?
The libretto is notable for weaving together scripture, apocryphal gospels, and medieval poetry in both English and Spanish. It incorporates Latin American writings to focus on the perspective of Mary and the marginalized.
When and where did El Niño premiere?
The oratorio premiered in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet on December 15, 2000. It was later performed in the United States by the San Francisco Symphony.
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