John Adams’s Nixon in China

Timothy Johnson, John Adams’s Nixon in China (Ashgate, 2011)

This guide to John Adams’s opera, Nixon in China, provides in-depth analysis of the music as well as insight into cultural, political, and historical aspects of the characters and issues raised in the opera. The author’s goal was to “illuminate the opera and enhance listeners’ and scholars’ appreciation for this landmark work.”

Johnson is an associate professor of music theory and chair of graduate studies in music at Ithaca College. He teaches in all areas of the theory and sight-singing curriculum, ranging from introductory courses for first-year students to upper-level and graduate courses. He received a Society for Music Theory publication subvention grant in 2010 for this book.