When John Adams’ A Flowering Tree had its world premiere in Vienna in 2006, critical reaction from the Austrian and German press was mixed-to-negative. It was written off as a trifle, the consensus apparently that it was too pretty. And what’s so bad about that? It ranks among Adams’ most gorgeous scores, and you can identify the composer from the downbeat with his trademark shimmering strings.

Critics be damned: the opera has been performed in San Francisco, London, New York, Berlin, Paris and, most recently, Omaha and Göteborg (both in February). It is from the Swedish performance that this week’s upload originates. Swedish soprano Julia Sporsén, American tenor Eric Fennell, and British baritone Omar Ebrahim do an excellent job of putting across the English text. Portuguese conductor Joana Carneiro draws a superb performance from the orchestra and chorus.

Don’t expect another Nixon in China, The Death of Klinghoffer, or Doctor Atomic: this is Adams’ homage to Mozart, specifically Die Zauberflöte, with which it shares several thematic elements. If you’ve never heard it, be prepared for a lovely two hours.

John Adams: A Flowering Tree

Göteborgsoperan
Joana Caeniero, conductor
07 February 2015

Kumudha – Julia Sporsén
The Prince – Eric Fennell
Narrator – Omar Ebrahim