The dual drive (internal gears) should not be any louder than any other internal hub. If it is, it is not adjusted properly or there is something wrong with it. My Dual drive is very quite and I love it.
If you ran an internal rear and dual rings up front you would still need a tensioner. So you would still have something hanging down like a derailluer. I really not sure what you would gain.
I suggest taking another look a the dual drive, it really is quite nice.
Or do what Bruce did, that's pretty sweet.