"America Tropical, the Opera" at the Autry Oct. 24

Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.667.2000, www.theAutry.org

America Tropical, the Opera
An in-gallery performance surrounded by the art and history of David Alfaro Siqueiros at the Autry National Center
Sunday, October 24, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

David Alfaro Siqueiros, America Tropical (detail).
Image courtesy of Jessie & Gleena Avila

Exploring themes of economic and political inequality, the intimate and intense America Tropical opera follows muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros as he paints and tells the tumultuous tale of L.A.’s history. Performed inside the Autry National Center’s gallery featuring the Siqueiros in Los Angeles: Censorship Defied exhibition, the opera takes place in 1932 when Siqueiros came to Los Angeles from Mexico and painted the mural known as La America Tropical. Its subject matter was so controversial that the mural was immediately white washed, effectively censored.

Written by playwright Oliver Mayer and composer David Conte, America Tropical follows Siqueiros as he charts Los Angeles from its founding in 1781 to the 1992 LA riots. His creation also comes to life with its own melodic and romantic voice, opinions, and hopes—just as the image in the actual mural has begun to appear through the white wash in the 1960s, refusing to be silenced.

The opera was originally commissioned by Thick Description, a theatre company in San Francisco, which was awarded the prestigious Gerbode Foundation grant in 2004. Together with Conte, Mayer decided to write specifically about his home, Los Angeles, and the historical events around the creation of the America Tropical mural at Olvera Street. The production was part of the University of Southern California’s Visions & Voices season, which received a generous grant from the university.

“Our piece is groundbreaking on many levels,” said Mayer. “With his extensive musical historical knowledge, Conte has taken a lot of chances in the score and wedded his music to my libretto to make a hybridized and very 21st-century piece of music theatre. The result is a sweepingly passionate opera with echoes of spirituals and the Mexican roots of California.”

The opera will be performed live by the Definiens Project, a group of progressive L.A.–based musicians who specialize in contemporary music, and directed by Nathan Singh, a recent graduate of USC School of Theatre. The singers are mostly from USC’s Thornton School of Music, and include professional singer Ashley Faatoalia.

Tickets are $18 for general admission and $12 for Autry members. They may be purchased by calling the Visitor Services Desk at 323.667.2000, ext. 251. Seating is limited.

AMERICA TROPICAL
Composed by David Conte
Libretto by Oliver Mayer
Conducted by Ryan Zwahlen

Directed by Nathan Singh
Performed by The Definiens Project
Commissioned by Thick Description, San Francisco, CA

CAST OF CHARACTERS
SIQUEIROS – the painter of the mural América Tropical (Baritone)
LARA – Pobladores leader/worker (Tenor)
MARIA SOLEDAD – a Mexican peasant woman, wife of MORENO (Soprano)
MORENO – Pobladores/worker/ husband of MARIA SOLEDAD (Tenor)
HOLLIDAY/MESA – a plumber/poblador/worker (filmed the beating of Rodney King); a poblador in scene one (Bass-baritone)
CAMERO – Poblador/worker (Baritone)
NAVARRO – Poblador/worker (Bass-Baritone)
The INDIA – the crucified figure at the center of the mural América Tropical (Soprano)

ORCHESTRA (parts available on rental from the publisher)
Flute
Bb Clarinet (doubling A Clarinet; Bass Clarinet)
Violin
Cello
Double Bass
Piano

“Catch the Moments” (excerpt; 1:52)
Chad Runyon, bass-baritone “Were You There” (excerpt; 5:04)
Antoine Garth, tenor; Sibel Demirmen, soprano; ensemble