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Originally mounted in Houston, Texas in 1987, John Adams's controversial opera Nixon in China recounted in heroic terms 37th U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972, as an effort to improve relations between the United States and the Communist Bloc and foster détente. Alice Goodman wrote the libretto, and Peter Sellars directed for the stage. This 2011 production was mounted by the Metropolitan Opera, and stars James Maddalena as Richard Nixon, Janis Kelly as Pat Nixon, Richard Paul Fink as Henry Kissinger and Robert Brubaker as Mao Tse-Tung. Adrianne Lobel designed the sets, Dunya Ramicova created the costumes, and James F. Ingalls choreographed for the stage. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet provide accompaniment, with Adams conducting and Donald Palumbo serving as chorus master.