Adams: The Gospel According To The Other Mary [2 CD]

A timely, controversial work of grand proportions, The Gospel According To The Other Mary is a new, full-scale re-imagining of the Bach oratorio from composer John Adams and iconoclast writer/director Peter Sellars.

Adams and Sellars previous collaborations included Nixon In China, the most-performed American opera since Gershwins Porgy and Bess, and Dr. Atomic, an opera about the invention of the atomic bomb.

Focusing on the oft marginalized perspectives of Mary Magdalene and Martha, The Gospel According To The Other Mary sets Biblical characters and events, including the resurrection of Lazarus and the passion of Christ, in a powerfully political, contemporary light.

As with the nativity oratorio El Nino (a response to Handels Messiah), and the opera Dr. Atomic, the libretto is been assembled by Peter Sellars, who has interwoven events from the New and Old Testaments with poetry reflecting themes of faith and liberation from the 12th Century mystic Hildegard von Bingen, to the 20th Century Mexican feminist poet Rosario Castellanos.

This World Premiere recording, featuring the original cast, was made in Disney Hall, Los Angeles, at performances staged by Peter Sellars - with soloists, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

A champion of contemporary music and social engagement through art, Gustavo Dudamel commissioned The Gospel…, together with the LA Phil, as part of a long-standing creative relationship with John Adams.

This important DG release marks the 5th Anniversary of Gustavo Dudamels appointment as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the 10th Anniversary of the LA Phils home, Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Packaging: the 2 CD set will come in a digi-sleeve with a 100 page booklet. It will contain an introduction by the composer and a synopsis by Peter Sellars in English; plus the libretto in the original languages (English and Spanish) with English translations of the Spanish texts.