Adams, J: El Nino
Dawn Upshaw, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Willard White
Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, Kent Nagano, stage direction by Peter Sellars

BBC Music Magazine February 2014 *****
“Nagano's unfussy direction...ensures maximum clarity...Willard White shakes the heavens while soprano Dawn Upshaw and the late mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson sing with ferocious intelligence and physicality. Neither has sounded better. Like Nixon in China before it, El Nino already feels like a classic.”

Gramophone Magazine February 2014
“Adams and Sellars were lucky with their singers. Happy the show that can put up a trio like this, all in good voice...Hunt Lieberson's acting and movement are as impassioned as her singing...Hugely recommended.”

MusicWeb International 30th January 2014
“I couldn’t imagine anyone else topping this performance...I find the stage “action” of this “Christmas Oratorio,” as it is referred to in the accompanying booklet, very watchable with the wonderful singing and acting of Dawn Upshaw, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Willard White, the three counter-tenors, and the choruses quite moving. The dancers, although in a less important role, are also excellent.”