I. Imperial Silence
Imperial Silence is a four act opera. Directed by John Jota Leaños, Imperial Silence is a work packed with political commentary stated by elements inspired by the Mexican Día de los Muertos tradition. This commentary uses a Chicano perspective to focus upon America in a time of "infinite war". Imperial Silence functions to promote discourse on a broad range of issues that are both related to and range from America’s colonial history to the U.S. declared war on terror.
This opera is comprised of animated shorts, interactive games and music compositions, as well as songs written in various Latino styles such as mariachi, Latin rock, Latino rap and Latin jazz.
Act I of Imperial Silence titled, Los ABCs: “Qué vivan los muertos!” is an animated film short and official selection of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
Cristóbal Martínez has composed music such as the score for Act I as well as the cinematic compositions for the Act II animation titled, Deadtime Stories with Mariachi Goose and Friends! Cristóbal works on the project with other artists who form a community called the Burning Wagon Collective.
Imperial Silence is a project of Creative Capital and is currently a work in progress. Act II of the opera has been produced with support from the Creative Work Fund and Creative Capital.