Adams, John

El Niño (1999-2000)

Duration: 105 minutes
A Nativity Oratorio for chorus and orchestra

Biblical texts, Gnostic Infancy Gospels, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Rosario Castellanos (E-S)

Scoring
S,M,Bar,3CT; chorus;
2(I,II=picc).2(I,II=corA).2(II=bcl).2(II=dbn)-3.0.3.0-perc(3):I=glsp/lo tgl/gong/almglocken/guiro/maracas; II=crot/almglocken/gong/hi cowbell/3tgl/tpl.bl; III=gong/chimes/crot/claves/2tgl/2temple bowls-harp-pft(=cel)-2kbd (I=pft,cel;II=sampler,cel)- 2steel string gtr-strings(minimum 14.0.6.6.4)

For complete technical specifications go to: mhgrey.wordpress.com.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
12/15/2000
Châtelet, Paris
Dawn Upshaw/Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson/Willard White/Peter Sellars, director
Conductor: Kent Nagano
Company: Deutsches Symphonie Orchester/London Voices

Roles

Soprano
Mezzo-Soprano
Baritone
Male Ensemble of 3 Countertenors
Chorus

Time and Place
Time and place for stage action not specified; optional accompanying film by Peter Sellars is set in the 1990s, Los Angeles, CA

Synopsis
El Niño tells the story of the Nativity, along with reflections on the wonders and tribulations of motherhood itself.  Mary’s virtue is praised; she is visited by the Holy Spirit, who tells her of the miracle to come.  Joseph is angered to discover that Mary is pregnant.  He is reassured by an angel of the Lord.  The birth of Jesus is heralded by a star in the east.  Three wise men arrive in Jerusalem in search of the child; Herod, hearing that a new King of the Jews has been born, sends the wise men to find him.  They present Jesus with precious gifts.  An angel of the Lord tells Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt, for Herod wants to destroy the child.  Herod, who has been mocked by the three wise men, orders that all of the children in Bethlehem shall be killed.  Jesus performs miracles to rescue and protect his mother as they travel with Joseph through the desert to safety.

Moods
Poetic

Subjects
Contemporary, History, Religion, Society

Recommended Recording
Dawn Upshaw/Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson/Willard White/Theatre of Voices/London Voices/Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Kent Nagano
Nonesuch 7559-79634-2
Arthaus Music PAL 100 200 (DVD Video)

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Items on Sale

Niño	(Full score)	> Details
Niño	(Vocal Score)	> Details