Composer

:

John Adams

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1990 - 1991

Average_duration

:

135:04

The Death of Klinghoffer is an opera composed by John Adams with a libretto by Alice Goodman. The opera was composed in 1991 and premiered on March 19, 1991, at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium. The opera is based on the hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship by Palestinian terrorists in 1985 and the subsequent murder of Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish-American passenger. The opera is divided into two acts and features a chorus, soloists, and an orchestra. The music is characterized by Adams' signature minimalist style, with repetitive patterns and rhythms that build tension and create a sense of unease. The libretto is written in a poetic style, with a mix of English, Hebrew, and Arabic. The first act of the opera introduces the passengers and crew of the Achille Lauro, as well as the hijackers. The passengers are portrayed as ordinary people on vacation, while the hijackers are shown as political activists with a cause. The tension builds as the hijackers take control of the ship and demand the release of Palestinian prisoners. In the second act, the focus shifts to the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, who is thrown overboard in his wheelchair by the hijackers. The opera explores the aftermath of the murder, with the passengers and crew struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The final scene features a chorus of Palestinians and Jews singing together, suggesting a possible path towards reconciliation. The Death of Klinghoffer has been controversial since its premiere, with some critics accusing the opera of being anti-Semitic or sympathetic to terrorism. However, others have praised the opera for its nuanced portrayal of the complex political and emotional issues surrounding the hijacking and murder. Despite the controversy, the opera has been performed around the world and has become a staple of contemporary opera repertoire.

More....