Thomas Adès
The Tempest
November 10, 2012
Conductor Thomas Adès
Production Robert Lepage
Set Designer Jasmine Catudal
Costume Designer Kym Barrett
Lighting Designer Michel Beaulieu
Video Designer David Leclerc
Choreographer Crystal Pite
Live in HD Host Deborah Voigt
Ariel Audrey Luna
Miranda Isabel Leonard
Trinculo Iestyn Davies
Ferdinand Alek Shrader
Caliban Alan Oke
King of Naples William Burden
Antonio Toby Spence
Prospero Simon Keenlyside
Production a gift of Mrs. Bert S. Turner
and Robert L. Turner
Additional funding from the Wyncote
Foundation, as recommended by
Frederick R. Haas and
Daniel K. Meyer, M.D.
A co-production of the Metropolitan
Opera, L’Opéra de Québec,
and the Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna
In collaboration with Ex Machina
The Met: Live in HD series is made
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The Neubauer Family Foundation
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Prospero has been usurped as Duke of Milan by his brother, Antonio, and been put out to sea
with his daughter, Miranda. They survived thanks to the king’s counselor, Gonzalo, and
ended up on an island where they now live. Meanwhile, Antonio enabled the King of Naples
to take control of Milan.
Act I Prospero has conjured a storm to sink a passing ship bearing his
enemies, the court of Naples. He tells Miranda the story of being
usurped, then instructs his spirit, Ariel, to bring the shipwrecked
party to the island. Caliban, heir to the island’s late ruler, lusts after
Miranda and curses Prospero for keeping him from his rightful inheritance.
Ariel reports on the shipwrecked and Prospero orders him to bring
him Prince Ferdinand, son of the King of Naples. Ariel asks to be
released from servitude in exchange for his help. Ferdinand finds
Miranda, who wonders at the sight of another human. The two fall
instantly in love. Prospero, angered by Ferdinand’s interest in his
daughter, prepares to further his vengeance.
Sebastian, and nominates Gonzalo as his heir. Ariel causes further
confusion and fear among the group. They flee to another part of
the island.
Prospero realizes that his magic has brought hell to the island. When
Miranda tells him that she and Ferdinand are in love, Prospero
summons Ariel to bless them. Ferdinand discovers that his father is
still alive. Caliban enters and demands Miranda for himself, but she
rejects him. Ariel describes how the king and Antonio are demented
with fear. If he were human, he says, he would pity them. Moved by
the spirit’s feelings, Prospero vows to release him within the hour.
The shipwrecked appear and Prospero reveals himself to the
astonished group. Ferdinand introduces Miranda as his wife, and the
king announces the match between Naples and Milan. Prospero
resolves to relinquish his magic powers. He begs Ariel to stay with
him, but he flies away to freedom. Caliban is left alone on the island.
pause
Washed up on the island, the courtiers discover no trace of the
storm. Stefano and Trinculo drunkenly relive the terror at sea. The
king weeps for his seemingly lost son. On Prospero’s instructions,
Ariel, unseen, sows confusion and an argument begins. Caliban
appears and is mocked by the courtiers. Gonzalo presses the group
to search for Ferdinand.
Act II
Caliban tells Stefano and Trinculo that his master is responsible for
the disaster and asks for their help to regain his land. In exchange,
he falsely offers them both Miranda’s hand in marriage and kingship
of the island.
Ferdinand, imprisoned by Prospero, is comforted by the thought
of Miranda. They express their love, which breaks Prospero’s spell.
Prospero realizes he has lost Miranda to a stronger power than
his own.
Intermission
Act III Caliban, on his way to Prospero with Stefano and Trinculo,
contemplates his approaching freedom.
Ariel has led the shipwrecked on a twisted journey across the island.
The king, believing Ferdinand dead, decides to disinherit his brother,
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