The San Francisco Opera‘s company premiere production of John Adams’ Nixon in China left me feeling a bit nonplussed on the whole apart from one thing:Â Hye Jung Lee’s performance as the wife of Mao Tse Tung, Chiang Ch’ing.
The tiny Korean soprano and 2010 Merola Opera Program alumnus attacked the role like a normally self-satisfied chihuahua cast away from its owner’s lap.
The power and flexibility of the singer’s voice, coupled with a subtle yet steely stage presence kept me completely entranced. I could not take my eyes nor ears off the performer.