Like Adams's El Niño,
the piece has an inspired and inventive musical score wedded to a
libretto assembled by Peter Sellars that mixes biblical scenes with what
naysayers might call bleeding-heart-liberal expressions of solidarity
with the downtrodden and the oppressed, whether by virtue of economic
injustice or discrimination--perennial Sellars themes. Political views
aside, one can wince at a passion story that juxtaposes Jesus's
arraignment before Pilate with negotiations between César Chavez,
representing farm workers, and the Teamsters. Dramatic coherence and
structural shape are simply not present.
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