Full length grand opera - libretto by St.Johanser setting the Shakespeare text.
Here is a photo of 'The Three Ariels' with 'Prospero' from the Guildford Opera production.
"Everything about this production was excellent" Words and Music.
This opera is eminently suitable for chorus based opera companies. The music is sophisticated but not excessively difficult.
Audiences are appreciative of the drama and the approachable music. The text selected for the libretto is
pure Shakespeare - the story largely preserved.
[Thomas Ades, the eminent English composer, has famously and practically simultaneously composed a similarly titled opera - comparisons are not odious in this case we hope - just different
inspirations.]
We welcome enquiries for permission to perform this work. Scores are available for perusal.
Fees are not prohibitive and some sponsorship may be possible for quality performances by smaller opera companies.
The work lasts some two and a half hours. The original score is for 16 piece orchestra. A reduced score for 9 players is available.
Photos (courtesy Peter Sillick) - here is Caliban - are of the premiere by
Guildford Opera.
Director Jackie Shearer, Conductor Francis Griffin:
Listen here to extracts from a recording of highlights from the opera with baritone Mark Stone as Prospero and The London Sinfonietta under Francis Griffin
(also available on youtube - see youtube for cast)
Tempest track 1
Tempest track 2
Tempest track 3
Tempest track 4
Tempest track 5
Tempest track 6
Tempest track 7
Tempest track 8
Tempest track 17
Collage
Miranda and Ferdinand, Gonzalo, Ariel, Prospero
