John Adams’ Nixon in China is an operatic rendition of Richard Nixon’s famous five-day journey to China in 1972. The COC begins its run of the show tomorrow, with baritone Robert Orth in the role of the former U.S. president. We got a hold of Orth for a quick chat.
What is the key to impersonating Richard Nixon?
I do a few poses … I walk with the shoulders up. He had a lot of tension in his shoulders. That and the wig.
How much of the opera is true to history?
All of it, really, though there are guesses in some situations as to what went on.
What would Nixon say about the show if he saw it?
Oh dear [Laughter]. I would hope he would like it. What he was proudest of was his trip to China … I suspect no one likes to see themselves in less than glowing light, and while we don’t mock or poke fun, it does show him with his warts.
Nixon in China, Four Seasons Centre. Feb. 5 to 26