The Silence: Overture and Two Scenes from an Opera in Two Acts

Author

Eric Jurgens, University of KentuckyFollow

Date Available

11-15-2013

Year of Publication

2013

Degree Name

Master of Music (MM)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Fine Arts

Department/School/Program

Music

First Advisor

Professor Joseph Baber

Abstract

The Silence is the story of William Rose, a man who, while searching the world for his missing wife and daughter, is kidnapped and held in a secret Iranian prison. After many years of torture, abuse and a slow descent into insanity, secrets about his family manifest as mysterious and magical occurrences, creating a dangerous tension between the prisoners and guards. Questions begin to arise: Who is actually in charge of this prison? Why haven’t the guards ever met the warden? Why is the prison haunted by mysterious voices? And what exactly would it take to crumble the walls of this corrupt institution?

Act II scene iii, The Hour of Angels – William sits alone in his cell, carving the images of his wife and daughter into the wall. As he begs his family to come back to him, the image of his wife slowly comes to life.

Intermezzo and Act II scene i, Danger in the Meadow – Flashback. The prison guards spy on Christina and Madelyn Rose as they play in a meadow not far from the secret prison. Christina sees them hiding and in a panic sends her daughter to a distant building to hide and look for help.

Recommended Citation

Jurgens, Eric, "The Silence: Overture and Two Scenes from an Opera in Two Acts" (2013). Theses and Dissertations--Music. 21.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/21