New Stage
World premiere: Bolshoi Theatre The performance has 1 intermission Libretto after William Shakespeare's play SynopsisThe magician Prospero is determined to take revenge on the Duke of Milan Antonio and the King of Naples Alonso. Once they deceitfully took the throne from Prospero and banished him and his daughter Miranda from Milan. Prospero sends a storm to the ship on which his offenders are sailing with their retinue. Scene 1 The tempest. A shipwreck. Ariel, following Prospero’s orders, scatters the travelers across the sea and takes Ferdinand away. Prospero is in his abode, deep in thought. Outside the window, a storm rages — the storm he has caused. Miranda tries to attract her father’s attention. She notices a sinking ship and begs her father to still the sea and save the people. Prospero tries to calm Miranda. Ariel flies into the room, his mission complete. Together they put Miranda to sleep. Prospero gives Ariel new orders. Ariel reminds Prospero that he was promised freedom. Prospero is angry, but confirms that he will let Ariel go after everything he planned is accomplished. The island is filled with dancing spirits. Caliban wanders among them. He meets Miranda, who he has liked for a long time. The girl ignores his persistent signs of attention. In despair, Caliban tries to take her by force. Prospero appears, saves his daughter and cruelly punishes Caliban. Caliban swears revenge. Scene 4 Prospero prepares a meeting between Miranda and Ferdinand. Ariel brings Ferdinand to his senses. Waking up from the spell, the young people see each other and instantly fall in love. Prospero watches them: this meeting is an important part of his plan. But he pretends to be against this union and enslaves the young man. Scene 5 Alonso, Sebastian, Gonzalo and Antonio are lost on the island. Prospero and Ariel torment them with visions: the sight of these people is unbearable to Prospero. Scene 6 Scene 7 Miranda watches Ferdinand slave away. His torment breaks her heart, she tries to ease his fate. Their love grows stronger. It is hard for Prospero to see his daughter in the arms of a man, even the one he himself chose for her. On top of that, his offenders are on the island which revives the pains of the past. Prospero plunges into madness, leading everyone on the island into rage. Prospero comes to. Following his plan, he unites Miranda and Ferdinand in marriage. Scene 9 The celebration is over. Prospero awaits Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano, who are making their way into his abode. Taken by surprise, they flee in terror. Scene 10 Antonio, Alonso, Gonzalo and Sebastian are despondent. Prospero appears to them in all the splendour of his power. But instead of execution, which they are ready to accept, he grants them his forgiveness. Alonso embraces his son and the beautiful Miranda. The people leave the island. | ||||||||||
