John Adams' most recent foray into the world of opera, set to a libretto by Peter Sellars, was jointly commissioned by San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Netherlands Opera. This recording was filmed during the production's run in Amsterdam and whilst one can admire individual performances, as an entity the work is more or less a total write-off. This is a bitter disappointment, especially when you take into consideration that Adams' first opera, Nixon in China, is considered by many (myself included) to be a masterpiece.
One can see why Adams and Sellars wanted to tackle the subject matter which revolves around J. Robert Oppenheimer's development of the first atomic bomb, as few scientific endeavours of the last century have had as far reaching consequences as the birth and deployment of nuclear weapons. But if the music chugs along without ever engaging the senses, and the libretto is scattered with technical jargon which falls flat on its face then you have to start questioning the whole basis of the undertaking in the first point.
Adams' harmonic language has shifted a long way from the repetitive chord ostinatos that made Nixon in China such a beguiling work but as he has failed to find a distinctive voice to replace them with all of the music he has provided is utterly nondescript and immediately forgettable. This was soundtrack music of the worst kind that delineated neither character nor atmosphere - the two fundamental ingredients of operatic musical language.
Despite the gobbledy-gook that he is made to sing, Gerald Finley as Oppenheimer is riveting to watch and his voice has never sounded better, but not even his mesmeric stage presence and prodigious vocal talents managed to make watching Doctor Atomic a bearable experience. There's a good supporting cast but why they're miked (Finley included) is anyone's business. Adams hardly provides a barrage of orchestral tumult above which they need to be heard, so it remains something of an unfathomable decision.
Sellars' production is unremarkable and at times distracting but alas not distracting enough. I had high hopes for this work as I have admired Nixon in China and Penny Woolcock's superb television realisation of The Death of Klinghoffer, so was looking forward to Woolcock's production of Doctor Atomic at ENO later this season. Having seen the work on DVD I think I'll give it a miss. A bitter disappointment.
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