Lilian & Leo by Efraín Amaya (Miniature Opera) [select cc for subtitles]

Lilian & Leo Music by Efraín Amaya Libretto by Susana Amundaraín Clara Rottsolk, soprano Philip Zawisza, baritone Minot Symphony Orchestra The Wheel of Fortune April 21, 2018 Ann Nicole Nelson Hall Lilian and Leo. This miniature opera is based on the true a story of a popular democratic leader in Venezuela, made prisoner on February 18th, 2014 for calling the masses to protest in the streets, against widespread injustice. Leopoldo López was put in a high-security prison, charged with multiple counts of attempting to overthrow the regime in place, and of course, for being a promising leader of a discontented and desperate people. He was later transferred to house arrest on July 8th, 2017 after being imprisoned for over three years. On August 1st, 2017 he was taken from his home by SEBIN (Bolivarian Intelligence Service) agents and was briefly imprisoned once again in Ramo Verde Prison. Since then, López returned home and has remained under house arrest since August 5th, 2017. While he was in the high-security prison, he’s only allowed visits from his immediate family at first then he was in solitary for most of the time and wasn’t allow any visitors. The story of this miniature opera is about a visit from his wife Lilian, his main center and support; a few days after his arrest. There is a floating uncertainty of having fallen into a trap, with very little hope. Still, hope and faith are precious resources to preserve. It’s a story that has seen multiple characters over the ages, and yet, it’s current and relevant today. VIOLIN I Dr. Jon Rumney Concertmaster Nikisa Gentry* David Herzig Teresa Witteman Christi Kuhlka Mya Temanson** Julia Beck* Amanda Brase VIOLIN II Emily Knutson Joshua Anderson Whitney Uran Jennifer Unke Rebecca Petrik Doug Tiedman Ivana Petrovic VIOLA John Jermiason Abby Walker Gaskill Christine Baumann Mary Elizabeth Gamas* Ashlie Drummelsmith* Muriel Lippert Carol Hepper Jonathan Mathistad** Janet Mathistad CELLO Dr. Erik Anderson Hannah Veazey* Jonathan Clark Vonne Tarnavsky Rebekah Randash BASS Jennifer Michalenko Michael Heil Rachel Maxfield FLUTE Dr. Elizabeth Demme Ann Jermiason Lea Shulstad PICCOLO Ann Jermiason Lea Shulstad OBOE Kari Files Tim Baumann Emily Schmidt ENGLISH HORN Tim Baumann CLARINET Charles Young Kelsey Swiech Amanda Blevins E-FLAT & BASS CLARINET Amanda Blevins BASSOON Sara Boyd Sheri Lien CONTRABASSOON Jesse Johnson* HORN Dr. Deanna Carpenter Patrick Carpenter Reese Hamilton* Kristen Wick TRUMPET Pat Schwan Jeremy Meinert Kassidy Brenna TROMBONE Michael HarriSon* Chris Ann Badger Sean Sprague TUBA Dr. David Rolandson Emily Bailey* PIANO Dr. Dianna Anderson Briana Schwan TIMPANI Avis Veikley Ken Starr PERCUSSION Avis Veikley Phillip Graham Christopher Ringrose** Ken Starr Suzie Stevick Uriel Torres LIBRARIAN Miranda Fenner* ORCHESTRA MANAGER Jonathan Clark ASSISTANT STAGE TECHNICIANS Michael HarriSon* Donavon Swartout*