The Story of the Opera
Act II
Several years later the enlarged family is gathering at the home of Noah and Mother Noah. Noah is dying, and the family has assembled from their remote locations. Only Hamm and his family have not yet arrived. A weakened Noah struggles to stay alive until Hamm arrives. There is urgency to Noah's insistence that he speak with Hamm, but to no avail. Noah dies as Hamm is running to his bedside.
The burden of Hamm's curse only adds to his grief, of which he sings in anguish. "nothing did I do to bring vengeance!" The unfairness of the curse gives rise to a dispute between the three sons, with particular focus on the animal fur used to cover the naked Noah. Hamm demands that Shem confess to the killing of the animal. That, indeed, his action has condemned that species of animal to extinction. "It was in defiance of Noah, and The Plan", Hamm sings.
Hamm insists that the skin be brought forth and used as a cover for Noah's body. Hamm takes charge of the preparations for the burial, and the family begins their solemn march, bearing Noah's body to his grave as Act II ends.
