Putting out the best China

*****
The vitality of London's operatic life was again in evidence last night with the superb revival of John Adams's Nixon in China in Peter Sellars's landmark production.

While Tosca (1900), seen glamorously and starrily at Covent Garden only hours before, was the first operatic masterpiece of the 20th century, Nixon in China (1987) was one of the last.

Its subject matter, to Alice Goodman's poetic text, as glinting and polished as granite, is President Nixon's visit to China in 1972. Mao Tse-Tung, on the edge of senility, is still in charge, aided by the enigmatic Chou En-Lai, sickly and elegiac. As in Tosca, politics jostle with human emotion in this pivotal moment in history.

Everything about this opera grows more convincing with each encounter. The pacing, characterisation and vibrancy of Adams's score sound fresh as ever.

Chorus and orchestra, under former ENO music director Paul Daniel, were first class. As in 2000, Janis Kelly's nervy, fretful Pat Nixon is a model of singing and acting, while Judith Howarth's terrifying, glittering-Madame Mao proves scarier than ever. Mark Stone as Chou and Adrian Thompson as Mao epitomised the barmy contrast of their historical and musical selves.

James Maddalena, who created the role of Nixon 20 years ago, is impressive as ever. Unsatisfied with being Nixon's uncanny double when last seen, he has added a red tie, a tiring bonhomie and an all-too recognisable hair style to the role. He is Nixon as Tony Blair, a feat even beyond Rory Bremner. Who says opera cannot mirror the folly of politics? It can, brilliantly, at the summit, which is where this piece belongs.

17, 23, 29 June, 6 July. Information: 0870 145 0200.

English National Opera: Nixon In China