America Tropical (Libretto) by David Conte Libretti - Digital Sheet Music

Libretto:
Written by Oliver Mayer

Synopsis:
In an act of creation that is both galvanizing and dangerous, the Mexican artist Siqueiros creates a mural for the 1932 Olympic Games. This work places a mirror up to the city of Los Angeles, reflecting both its past and future- from its founding in 1781 by a band of Pobladores from Mexico, to its near self-destruction in the riots of 1992. Through the interconnected stories of original city founder Moreno and George Holliday, who witnessed the savage beating of Rodney King (just as Siqueiros is witness with his paint brush), we see and feel the crises of a city continually caught between its lofty goals and coarse realities. Whitewashed in 1932, Siqueiros' painted mural image of the Crucified India refuses to stay erased and ghosts through, descending from the cross to offer redemption and blessings to Angelinos across the centuries. The India exists alongside the Queen of the Angels (namesake of the City) as a witness to injustice, and as a totem of the hopes and dreams of its people- signifying more than Siqueiros could have dreamed possible.

Scene One
The Torna Atras (The Throw-Aways) Los Angeles, 1932. The Mexican muralist SIQUEIROS surveys a blank wall that will become the canvas for his latest artwork America Tropical. (Tell Me What A Wall Can Do...) As he wonders how the as-yet uncreated images will reflect not only the past history but the future of Los Angeles and its citizens. The original POBLADORES (Founders) of the City arrive, circa 1781, at the last leg of a 1,000 mile journey, (We've Come A Thousand Miles...) and begin to build their settlement. The Spaniard LARA and the Indian MARIA SOLEDAD, ask for the blessing of the Virgin Mary, but Maria Soledad’s husband Black carpenter MORENO questions their faith. Lara and Moreno differ on the casta system, the taxonomy that categorizes a person based on the percentage of Spanish blood in his family (From Spanish and Indian a Mestiza is Born...). As the battles lines between them are drawn.

Scene Two
The Double Cross Siqueiros begins to create his image, using themes and images from 1781. As he works. HOLLIDAY appears, circa 1991, video handycam in hand, in South Los Angeles. (Catch The Moments Before They Go Wherever Moments Go...) Now all three time periods begin to meld. As Siqueiros propositions Maria Soledad, Lara and his henchmen arrest and beat Moreno in front of the Cross he built to honor the founding of the City. Holliday uses his handycam to witness the attack, which resembles the beating of Rodney King. Refusing the advances of Siqueiros, Maria Soledad approaches Moreno, who cannot understand why he was beaten. (Were You There When They Beat Me To The Ground?) As all their faith is tested.

Scene Three
Twelve Minutes Holliday, circa 1992, muses over the twelve minutes of evidence of the videotaped beating and its consequences on the entire city. As Los Angeles burns, the citizens of Los Angeles, past and future, come together to reaffirm their beliefs (We Believe A Good Life is Possible on Earth). But Moreno cannot put his faith in organized belief or progress. Siquerios, working feverishly, now reveals the full America Tropical mural with an INDIA crucified upon a Double Cross, for everyone to see. Moreno sees a symbol of his own pain. But Maria Soledad sees the blessing, even in the symbolism. As she prays to it, the India comes to life and blesses the citizens of Los Angeles (Blessings on this City/Blessings on this Life).

Scene Four
The Sweet Inside Given new life, Maria Soledad tells Siqueiros that his mural has missed the heart of the people. Taking the aspect of the Virgin Mary, she helps the India off the Cross. The people of Los Angeles come together with a new understanding of their limitations and possibilities. As Siqueiros moves on, and his mural is destroyed, the People reaffirm their lives and loves. as citizens, here and now (Reprise: From Spanish and Indian a Mestiza is Born). Maria Soledad has the last word: (We Live Here and Now).