In this introductory episode, Jared Eastwood introduces the enigmatic story surrounding the lost opera "Mortuus Messis" and its mysterious premiere in 1916 at the Blackwater Opera House in Blackwater, Massachusetts. The narrative is based on an intriguing tape recording from June 16th, 1992, where Jared Eastwood, a PhD candidate in Folklore Studies at Whitestone University, Newfoundland, provides insight into his research diary.
The Blackwater Opera House, where "Mortuus Messis" premiered, is no longer in existence, having been demolished in 1947. Jared details how the once-thriving opera house fell into disrepair and was ultimately replaced by industrial and property development, reflecting the decline of opera in Blackwater.
The heart of the mystery lies in the premiere of "Mortuus Messis" and the inexplicable disappearance of its composer. Eyewitness accounts of the performance vary but share elements of the eerie and supernatural. Reports include beliefs of a curse, sightings of otherworldly apparitions, and descriptions of actors appearing as demons on stage. Most notably, the audience was profoundly affected, with mentions of unnatural acting, otherworldly music, and singing that defied human capabilities.
Jared Eastwood - Atticus Jackson
