'El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered' by the American Modern Opera Company (AMOC*)

On December 15, YSC presents the AMOC* production of contemporary composer John Adams’s El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered with libretto by Peter Sellars and concept by Julia Bullock, “one of opera’s fastest-rising stars” (Vanity Fair).

El Niño is a chamber music arrangement created and conducted by Christian Reif and was first performed at The Met Cloisters in 2018. The New York Times calls it “intimate, affecting and quietly rich with activism.”

Julia Bullock was nominated for a Grammy in November 2023 in the category of Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for Walking In The Dark with the Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor Christian Reif, who is conducting El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered for this performance. The album features Memorial de Tlatelolco from El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered. 

This rarely performed work celebrates Latin American poets and voices of women. In her reflections on the work, Bullock writes “El Niño, alternatively, not only explores the central themes of the nativity – the immaculate conception, the unique relationship between birthparent and child, and gift giving – but the work ruminates on the notion that with the promise of new life, there is the equal threat of inexplicable violence and sacrifice.”

Music by JOHN ADAMS
Libretto compilation by PETER SELLARS
Musical selections by JULIA BULLOCK
Musical arrangement by CHRISTIAN REIF

Performed by AMOC*  (American Modern Opera Company)

JULIA BULLOCK soprano
JASMIN WHITE mezzo-soprano
ANTHONY ROTH COSTANZO countertenor
DAVÓNE TINES bass-baritone
TOD BRODY flute
RONI GAL-ED oboe
GLEB KANASEVICH clarinet
ALEXANDER DAVIS bassoon
PRISCILLA RINEHART horn
CONOR HANICK piano
JOHN ARIDA keyboard
JONNY ALLEN percussion
JORDAN DODSON guitar
KEIR GOGWILT  MIRANDA CUCKSON  MIRAN KIM  QIANWEN SHEN  violin
ZOË MARTIN-DOIKE  CARRIE FREY  viola
COLEMAN ITZKOFF  SETH PARKER WOODS  cello
DOUG BALLIETT   CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON  bass

CHRISTIAN REIF  conductor

CHRISTOPHER GILMORE, lighting design
REBECCA SIGEL, tour producer 
BETSY AYER, production stage manager

Selected Press: 

Review in Medium

Review in Musical America

Review in Blog Critics

Review in The New York Times