When Peter Gelb, the Metropolitan Opera’s general manager, asked director Lileana Blain-Cruz what she wanted to stage, her immediate response was “El Niño.” Blain-Cruz had been deeply moved by John Adams and Peter Sellars’ 2000 oratorio, which blends the Nativity story with ancient and modern texts.
Emotional Impact
Blain-Cruz described “El Niño” as a piece that “makes you weep, and you don’t expect it.” The oratorio had a profound effect on her, lingering in her imagination long after she first heard it. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to bring it to life on stage at the Met.
Star-Studded Premiere
The premiere of Blain-Cruz’s production of “El Niño” at the Met is highly anticipated. The production features the return of the brilliant mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and marks the house debuts of Julia Bullock, Davóne Tines, and conductor Marin Alsop.
Met Debut
Notably, Davóne Tines will be making his Met debut in “El Niño,” adding to the excitement surrounding the production. The costumes for the opera are designed by Montana Levi Blanco.
