The Gospel According to the Other Mary (complete oratorio)

World Premiere Recording Of John Adams' '21st Century Masterpiece' [The Los Angeles Times]

A timely, controversial work of grand proportions, The Gospel According To The Other Mary is a new, full-scale reimagining 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 Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and Dr. Atomic, an opera about the invention of the atomic bomb.

Focusing on the often marginalised 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 Niño (a response to Handel's Messiah), and the opera Dr. Atomic, the libretto hsd 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 Dudamel's appointment as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the 10th Anniversary of the LA Phil's home, Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Packaging: the 2 CD set will come in a digisleeve with a booklet of c. 100 pages. 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.