John Adams - Doctor Atomic

First premiered in 2005, there has been a significant delay in the production of this opera soundtrack. A DVD - Adams - Doctor Atomic (Netherlands Po) [DVD] [2010] was available in 2008, ten years before the release of the CD, so was it worth the wait? The package consists of a neat well-designed cardboard box which holds the two CDs and a 62 page booklet. The CDs are in cardboard slipcases with track details on the back, and the booklet is comprehensive with details about the composer, performers, synopsis, full libretto and some souvenir photos. The CD recording sound is crystal clear, and was obtained from BBC recordings in the UK at Maida Vale and the Barbican in 2017 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Adams, himself. The main role of Dr Robert Oppenheimer (Oppie) was performed by Gerald Finley who has played this part previously, and is excellent. Kitty Oppenheimer (wife) is sung by Julia Bullock who is also outstanding. In duets, they are sublime and their motives and feelings are vividly expressed in words and music.

Price: $38.98