Playing Title Role in ‘Nixon’ Opera Gives Him Sympathy for His Subject

When James Maddalena was asked to audition for the title role in John Adams’ opera “Nixon in China,” he knew that he wasn’t being typecast, despite a mild resemblance, especially in his receding hairline. But after reading everything he could get his hands on about Richard Nixon, the 35-year-old Democrat from Boston now admits a certain affection for the famous politician, media personality and die-hard Republican.

“He was such an intensely shy and private person,” observes Maddalena. “Yet he chose to run for public office, a profession that demands such wide exposure.

“It was his intense desire to win which led to Watergate and his unnecessary fall from power. Otherwise, he was just a normal person.”

The plum role, which Maddalena introduced at the opera’s premiere at Houston Opera House in 1987, has created new opportunities for the baritone. This past summer, he played Papageno in Peter Sellars’ new production of “Die Zauberflote” at the Glyndebourne Festival in England, and had a prominent part in Michael Tippet’s recent opera “New Year.” He will play the captain of the Achille Lauro in John Adams’ newest opera (not yet finished), “The Death of Klinghoffer.”

Now that “Nixon in China” has received such renown, other productions, especially in Europe, are popping up. But Maddalena is critical of the versions that treat the opera as a political satire.

“It’s absolutely not a satire,” he insists. “That was made clear when (librettist) Alice Goodman first approached (stage director) Peter Sellars with the idea. It’s a heroic opera that deals with East-versus-West themes, much like Handel’s ‘Julius Caesar in Egypt.’ ”

“Nixon in China” opens at the Music Center on Tuesday.