Nathan Singh
Theatre Director
AMERICA TROPICAL
America Tropical
Opera
Music by David Conte
Libretto by Oliver Mayer
Directed by Nathan Singh
Presented in four site-specfic locations around Los Angeles:
-October, 2010
Parkside Residental Cafe at the University of Southern California (USC)
A Gallery space inside the Autry National Center's Musuem of the West.
-November, 2012
La Plaza De Culturas y Artes AND the Pico House on Los Angeles' historic Olvera St.
Produced by USC Vision and Voices, The Autry National Center, The Getty Foundation, and The Definiens Project.
In 1932, Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros came to Los Angeles and painted the mural known as La America Tropical. Its subject matter was so controversial that its central image of a crucified Indian was painted out and effectively silenced. Exploring themes of exonomic and political inequality this opera follows Siqueiros as he paints and tells the tumultuous tale of the history of Los Angeles, from its founding in 1781 to the 1992 insurrection. His creation also comes to life with its own voice, opinions and hopes – just as the image in the actual mural has begun to ghost through, refusing to be silenced.
A SHIPWRECK OPERA
A Shipwreck Opera
Opera
Music by John B Hedges
Libretto by Aimee Bender
Directed by Nathan Singh
Presented in two spaces within the University of Southern California (USC) campus in Los Angeles, CA
March, 2013
Parkside Residental Cafe at the University of Southern California (USC)
Tommy's Place at the University of Southern California (USC)
Produced by USC Vision and Voices and USC Spectrum. This opera was presented by The Defeniens Project.
WORLD PREMIERE
A Shipwreck Opera is a unique and surprising work that begins with a shipwreck that leaves a baby girl alone on an island. She is raised and loved by a tree, and as she grows, she forms relationships with the wind and the sea and another human who happens to come by. It is a moving story about family and growing up.