I decided to rent Doctor Atomic by John Adams. Doctor Atomic is an English language opera that portrays the anxiety and tension felt by the scientists involved in the creation of the atomic bomb in 1945. I read the synopsis of several concerts and operas and they all were appealing, but then I read the description for Doctor Atomic and knew I should critique it. I am a chemistry major and the summary of this opera intrigued my scientific side. I also felt that I would enjoy this English language opera since I would be able to understand the lyrics to the libretto. John Adam is an American composer, born February 15, 1947 to Carl John and Elinore Mary Adams. At a very young age, John’s father taught him how to play the clarinet and by the
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The first was the decision to test the atomic bomb during a storm. The fear and anxiety level escalated during this performance due to fear that the storm could detonate the bomb. Radiation poisoning could affect nearby cities and people to get an incurable cancer. Tension grew as General Leslie Groves, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Robert Wilson discussed the possibilities in testing during this storm. The second moment that stood out was the discussion of the effect the stress had on General Leslie Groves’ waistline. The scenes lightened the mood but it portrayed what happens when people eat while they are under stress. Another notable mention is at the end of Act One, J. Robert Oppenheimer performs the sonnet “Batter My Heat” by poet John Donne. This scene demonstrates the internal struggle deciding to test the atomic bomb. This performance is one of the best in the opera. Act Two starts off with a dramatic entrance from Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty. Her performance is long but it displays her longing for her husband and the moral struggle within herself about his part in making the bomb. Act Two is set right before the bomb is detonated and the anxiety is growing. Fear surround the discussions and whether the bomb will set off a natural phenomenon that is beyond their knowledge. The intensity is amplifying as they wait to detonate the atomic
The first was the decision to test the atomic bomb during a storm. The fear and anxiety level escalated during this performance due to fear that the storm could detonate the bomb. Radiation poisoning could affect nearby cities and people to get an incurable cancer. Tension grew as General Leslie Groves, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Robert Wilson discussed the possibilities in testing during this storm. The second moment that stood out was the discussion of the effect the stress had on General Leslie Groves’ waistline. The scenes lightened the mood but it portrayed what happens when people eat while they are under stress. Another notable mention is at the end of Act One, J. Robert Oppenheimer performs the sonnet “Batter My Heat” by poet John Donne. This scene demonstrates the internal struggle deciding to test the atomic bomb. This performance is one of the best in the opera. Act Two starts off with a dramatic entrance from Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty. Her performance is long but it displays her longing for her husband and the moral struggle within herself about his part in making the bomb. Act Two is set right before the bomb is detonated and the anxiety is growing. Fear surround the discussions and whether the bomb will set off a natural phenomenon that is beyond their knowledge. The intensity is amplifying as they wait to detonate the atomic