The Enchanted Island Libretto

The Enchanted Island

Libretto

 

Music by

Georg Friedrich Haendel, Antonio Vivaldi, Jean-Philippe Rameau, André Campra, Jean-Marie Leclair, Henry Purcell, Jean-Féry Rebel, Giovanni Battista Ferrandini

 

Devised and written by Jeremy Sams

 

Characters

Prospero (Countertenor)

Sycorax (Mezzo-Soprano)

Ariel (Coloratura Soprano)

Caliban (Bass-Baritone)

Miranda (Soprano)

Ferdinand (Countertenor)

Helena (Soprano)

Hermia (Mezzo-Soprano)

Demetrius (Tenor)

Lysander (Baritone)

Neptune (Tenor)

Quartet (2 Sopranos, Tenor, Bass-Baritone)

Spirits, courtiers, water nymphs (Chorus)

Act 1

 

Prospero’s side of the island

 

Overture

George Frideric Handel: Alcina, HWV 34

 

(Caliban leaves)

 

1. "My Ariel" (Prospero, Ariel) – "Ah, if you would earn your freedom" (Prospero)

Antonio Vivaldi: Cessate, omai cessate, cantata, RV 684, "Ah, ch’infelice sempre"

 

PROSPERO

My Ariel.

 

(Ariel enters)

 

ARIEL

All hail great master.

Mighty master, hail.

 

PROSPERO

My boy. my beauty.

 

ARIEL

Ah!

 

PROSPERO

Ah, what?

ARIEL

My master, I should know you by now.

Your praise and your affection

mean only one thing.

 

PROSPERO

How dare you!

 

ARIEL

Toil, and yet more toil.

 

PROSPERO

Ungrateful wretch!

I nurture you, feed you…

…and yes, I do confess it.

Now I need you.

 

ARIEL

I thought so!

 

PROSPERO

I need your magic as complement to mine.

I need your strength, your youth.

I can’t deny that I’m finding both in short supply.

 

ARIEL

And then?

 

PROSPERO

And then I’ll grant your deepest desire in return.

 

 

ARIEL

You mean my freedom?

 

PROSPERO

Yes your freedom.

Which you have yet to earn!

 

Ah, if you would earn your freedom,

then do as I command you.

I may be growing older.

Still, I am still your master.

Your fate is in my hands.

Yes, remember, your fate is in my hands.

If you would earn your freedom,

then do as I command you.

Though I am growing older,

remember what you are.

And in your fierce frustration,

do not forget your station.

You must do as your master commands.

As I command.

 

Have you forgotten how once I freed you?

See how you treat me, now that I need you!

Haughty and moody, thus you repay me.

Perhaps I should teach you how to obey me?

If I should need you, that is my will.

All my wishes are yours…

…yours to fulfill.

 

Ah, if you would earn your freedom,

then do as I command you.

I may be growing older.

Still, I am still your master.

Your fate is in my hands.

Yes, remember, your fate is in my hands.

If you would earn your freedom,

then do as I command you.

Though I am growing older,

remember what you are.

And in your fierce frustration,

do not forget your station.

You must do as your master commands.

As I command.

 

2. "My master, generous master – I can conjure you fire" (Ariel)

Handel: Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, oratorio, HWV 46a, Part I, "Un pensiero nemico di pace"

 

ARIEL

My master, generous master,

I’ll do whatever, whatever you may ask,

however outlandish or onerous the task.

 

I can conjure you fire from the heavens!

I can make you a lake full of flowers.

You’ll be amazed at my powers!

Say whatever you want me to do.

I can light up the sky with a rainbow.

I’ll delight you with lightning and thunder.

I’ll amaze you with wonder on wonder.

All of them learned from you.

I can conjure you fire from the heavens!

Or what’re you desire from the heavens!

Simply say what you wish me to do

and my master, I’ll do it for you.

 

I’m your servant as long as you need me.

I’m as fleet or as strong as you need me.

I will fly wherever you lead me,

for you swore you would set me free.

You swore, yes you swore.

Don’t ignore your promise to me.

I’m your servant as long as you need me

and my love for (once you’ve freed me)

will be as great as the sky or the sea.

I’ll do wonders for you if you do

what you promised for me.

 

I can conjure you fire from the heavens!

Or what’re you desire from the heavens!

I can make you a lake full of flowers.

You’ll be amazed at my powers!

Say whatever you want me to do.

I can float like a bee in the treetops

going, “Whee, look at me in the treetops.”

I can soar through the air like a falcon.

I can fly till I disappear in the blue.

I can ravage the seas with a whirlwind.

I can pluck up the trees with a whirlwind

or whatever you want me to do,

I’ll do it for you.

 

3. "Then what I desire" (Prospero, Ariel)

 

PROSPERO

Then what I desire should be simple.

 

ARIEL

Name it!

 

PROSPERO

A storm.

 

ARIEL

What kind? Snow, sand, hail?

 

PROSPERO

A simple storm!

I have the spell her for you to perform.

A ship will soom pass by here,

and within are several of my kinsmen

my traitorous kin.

Calm, Prospero, be calm.

And also a young men

who’s destined for my daughter.

 

ARIEL

My admired Miranda.

 

PROSPERO

And not a jot too soon.

I see the fire in her eyes

feel the heat in her blood.

And Caliban, he feels it too.

I should have penned him with his mother.

Ferdinand is his name,

and they are destined for each other.

 

ARIEL

Ferdinand…

 

PROSPERO

A storm I tell you, a storm at sea.

 

ARIEL

It will be my last masterpiece

and then I will be free.

 

(Ariel leaves)

 

PROSPERO

Your last masterpiece… or my last gasp?

Still, what I’ve planned remains within my grasp.

A treaty, forged by magic,

by patience and by forgiveness.

Two children, young, yet ripe in age

who will spell the end of exile

and be my story’s final page.

 

Sycorax’s side of the island

 

4. "There are times when the dark side – Maybe soon, maybe now" (Sycorax, Caliban)

Handel: Teseo, HWV 9, Act V, Scene 1, "Morirò, ma vendicata"

 

SYCORAX

There are times when the dark side of the island

the fetid forests, the brackish ocean suit me.

It’s all that he left me of what was justly mine.

My stolen paradise, my island divine!

There, Prospero found me,

wooed me, maybe even loved me.

But then he spurned me, left me,

robbed me of my Ariel

made my only son his slave!

My Caliban, my darling.

 

(Caliban enters)

 

CALIBAN

Mother, mother.

The time you told me of is come, I’m certain.

Prospero’s demise. His final curtain.

I saw him. He faltered, he clutched his side.

He’s losing his powers, I’m sure of it.

He talked of leaving the island.

What did he mean?

 

SYCORAX

Take the blood.

 

CALIBAN

What blood?

The vial that you showed me?

 

SYCORAX

Yes, lizard’s blood.

Useless in itself, but…

 

CALIBAN

Here it is.

 

SYCORAX

Take it. Use it.

 

CALIBAN

His cell is unlocked.

We can exchange it.

 

SYCORAX

Yes, go.

Quickly, quickly, quickly.

 

(Caliban leaves)

 

Maybe the hour is coming.

The wheel must turn full circle in time

and then I will match him,

crime for crime.

 

Maybe soon. maybe now

I’ll take my vengeance,

be revenged on him at last!

How I long to take my vengeance

for the wrongs of the past.

How I long to take my vengeance

for the litany of wrongs from the past.

Maybe soon. Maybe now

I’ll take my vengeance.

Yes, I will be revenged at last.

How I long to be revenged,

be revenged on him at last.

 

He will know how it feels

when all you own

and all you have known,

has been taken.

First he loved me, then he left me.

And abandoned and forsaken,

here I lie and here I languish!

Ah, my pain, my anguish!

How I ache and burn.

He will know, He will know!

First he loved me, then he left me.

And abandoned and forsaken,

here I lie and here I languish!

All my pain and all my anguish he will learn.

I have suffered, I have suffered!

He must suffer.

Yes, he must suffer in return!

 

Maybe soon. maybe now

I’ll take my vengeance,

be revenged on him at last!

How I long to take my vengeance

for the wrongs of the past.

How I long to take my vengeance

for the litany of wrongs from the past.

Maybe soon. Maybe now

I’ll take my vengeance.

Yes, I will be revenged at last.

How I long to be revenged on him

for the wrongs of the past.

 

Prospero’s side of the island

 

5. "The blood of a lizard – Stolen by treachery" (Caliban)

Handel: La Resurrezione, oratorio, HWV 47, Part I, Scene 1, "O voi, dell’Erebo"

 

CALIBAN

The blood of a lizard…

for this, blood of a dragon.

No one will ever notice.

This will rejuvenate her powers

and win back chat is ours.

And I will reign here in splendor and in glory.

 

Stolen by treachery,

governed by tyranny

all of this island is rightfully mine!

Captured by villainy,

guarded by sorcery

all of this isalnd will one day be mine!

It will be mine!

It is rightfully mine!

My mother promised me all of this land

would be peopled with Calibans

born of his daughter,

who ought to be mine.

 

All of my misery will turn to ecstasy.

My queen Miranda

I choose to reign next to me!

Her blood and my blood

will sweetly combine.

 

Stolen by treachery,

governed by tyranny

all of this island is rightfully mine!

Captured by villainy,

guarded by sorcery

all of this isalnd will one day be mine!

It will be mine!

It is rightfully mine!

My mother promised me all of this land

would be peopled with Calibans

born of his daughter,

who ought to be mine.

 

(Caliban leaves)

 

6. "Miranda! My Miranda!" (Prospero, Miranda) – "I have no words for this feeling" (Miranda)

Handel: Notte placida e cheta, cantata, HWV 142, "Che non si dà"

 

(Prospero & Miranda enters)

 

PROSPERO

Miranda! My Miranda!

 

MIRANDA
Father, forgive me,

but I feel so strange today.

PROSPERO
What ails you, my daughter?

MIRANDA

I cannot say.

 

I have no words for this feeling I am feeling.

This joyful misery that’s robbing me of my rest.

Every morning I awaken to this strange longing.

But what it is I long for, I’ve not guessed yet.

Each day is different, but the same.

I have no words, I have no name

for what I am feeling here in my breast.

I have no words for this feeling I am feeling.

Tell me, my father!

And every night, or so it seems,

there is a face that I dream of,

a cloudy vision of a stranger from miles away,

yet somehow known to me.

Can you explain this feeling I am feeling?

Is it joy, is it pain that delights,

that excites and haunts me?

I feel I’ve suddenly been hurled

into a brave new world,

yet still familiar.

Like a dream I have dreamt of.

Of, Father, help me!

 

(Prospero & Miranda leaves)

 

7. "My master’s books" – "Take salt and stones" (Ariel)

Based on Jean-Philippe Rameau: Les fêtes d’Hébé, Deuxième entrée: La Musique, Scene 7, "Aimez, aimez d’une ardeur mutuelle"

 

(Ariel enters)

 

ARIEL

My master’s books,

his spells and incantations.

“S” for serpents, stampedes,

Sudden death – see under “death”.

No, I’ve gone too far.

Storms. Storms at sea,

yes, here we are!

 

“Take salt and stones for waves and hail.

To drag them under, sperm of whale!

From twenty fathoms deep, some mud.

To seal the spell, add dragon’s blood.”

 

Dragon’s blood! Essential!

Ah, dragon’s blood.

Yes, this must be it.

 

“A magic fan to urge the gale.

A razor shell to rip the sail.

A crocodile’s jaw to snap the mast.

Add evil thoughts and it’s done at last!”

 

Nothing.

I mean, nothing yet!

It won’t be long!

Unless, of course,

I’ve somehow done it wrong.

 

At sea

 

8. Quartet: "Days of pleasure, nights of love" (Helena, Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander)

Handel: Semele, HWV 58, Act I, Scene 4, "Endless pleasure, endless love"

 

HELENA, HERMIA, DEMETRIUS & LYSANDER

Days of pleasure, nights of love.

Sea below and sky above.

Safe within our marriage vow,

what on earth could harm us now?

Very soon, we’ll begin our honeymoon!

Sea below and sky above.

Days of pleasure, nights of love.

 

9. The Storm (chorus)

André Campra: Idoménée, Act II, Scene 1, "O Dieux! O justes Dieux!"

 

CHORUS

Ye gods, ye gods above,

see the tempest arise!

The waves, the seas

leap up and admonish the skies!

Ye gods, ye gods above,

see the tempest arise!

The waves, the seas

leap up and admonish the skies!

 

Prospero’s side of the island

 

10. "I’ve done as you commanded" (Ariel, Prospero)

Handel: La Resurrezione, oratorio, HWV 47, "Di rabbia indarno freme"

 

ARIEL

I’ve done as you commanded.

The ship is wrecked.

I’ve come to claim my…

 

PROSPERO

Splendid!

Sadly, there’s more to do here.

 

ARIEL

Just as I thought!

There’s yet more labor!

 

PROSPERO

You dare to contradict me?

Thankless wretch!

Shall I return you,

send you back to Sycorax,

whence you came and to torture?

 

ARIEL

Well, it’s just that…

you promised!

 

PROSPERO

The holly tree which was your prison –

do you want to go back there?

There’s really nothing simpler!

 

ARIEL

I am sorry, my master.

How can I serve you?

 

PROSPERO

Good! That’s more like it!

On this island there’s now a youth.

Ferdinand is his name.

And he is meant for…

…no, made for my Miranda.

So she must love him,

and he must love her, too.

But since young men today

are rarely chaste use this.

Made in younger days

for just such a purpose.

And see they both forsake and forget

all others they have loved.

Are you equal to this?

 

 

ARIEL

I am.

 

PROSPERO

Then do it, and with grace.

Then you’ll be free.

But meanwhile,

don’t forget the holly tree!

 

On a beach

 

11. "Oh, Helena, my Helen – You would have loved this island" (Demetrius)

Handel: La Resurrezione, oratorio, HWV 47, Part I, Scene 2, "Così la tortorella"

 

DEMETRIUS

Oh, Helena, my Helen!

I could have saved you!

I held onto your arm,

and then your hand…

then I fell, then I lost you.

Swept out to seas.

My life, my love.

Why you and why not me?

 

You would have loved this island,

the trees, the birds, the flowers.

We would have strolled together,

explored its verdant forests

its sweet, enchanted bowers.

Helena, my beloved,

why were you torn away?

Nature, my love, without you,

is old and cold and gray.

You would have loved this island,

the trees, the birds, the flowers,

the secret, perfumed bowers.

Without you, my beloved,

the world is cold and gray.

 

I’ll call it Helena’s Island.

For here she’ll be remembered

in loving dedication.

I quiet contemplation,

I’ll while the hours away.

I’ll call it Helena’s island,

in loving dedication.

On this island,

Demetrius will stay.

I’ll stay.

 

(Miranda & Ariel enters)

 

You would have loved this island,

the trees, the birds, the flowers.

We would have strolled toge–

 

(Ariel leaves)

 

12. "Would that it could last forever – Wonderful, wonderful" (Miranda, Demetrius)

Handel: Ariodante, HWV 33, Act I, Scene 5, "Prendi, prendi"

 

MIRANDA

Would that it could last forever.

This day, this hour, this minute.

Truly a brave new world

that has such wondrous creatures in it.

 

Wonderful, wonderful,

brave new emotion

filling my heart with you.

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful lady,

I conquered the ocean

so I may gaze on you.

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful, wonderful,

brave new emotion

filling my heart with you.

 

DEMETRIUS

Lady, I conquered the ocean

to gaze on you.

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful!

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful!

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful!

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful!

 

MIRANDA & DEMETRIUS

All my devotion,

all my devotion, it to you.

 

 

DEMETRIUS

Strangest but loveliest stranger,

although I do not know you,

lady, oh, let me show you

a heart ever true!

 

MIRANDA

Loveliest of creatures in form

and shape most like an angel,

my heart will never change.

I’ll be ever true to you.

 

DEMETRIUS

Oh, let me show you,

show you a heart forever true!

 

MIRANDA

Will ever change,

I’ll be ever true to you.

 

DEMETRIUS

Yes!

 

MIRANDA

Ah!

 

DEMETRIUS

Yes!

 

MIRANDA

Ah!

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful stranger

for I’ll be ever true to you.

 

MIRANDA

I’ll never change

I’ve a heart forever true.

 

Wonderful, wonderful,

brave new emotion

filling my heart with you.

Wonderful new emotion,

filling my heart with you.

 

DEMETRIUS

Lady, I conquered the ocean

to gaze on you.

Beautiful!

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful!

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful!

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful!

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful!

 

MIRANDA & DEMETRIUS

All my devotion,

all my devotion, it to you.

 

Sycorax’s side of the island

 

13. "Why am I living?" (Helena)

Handel: Teseo, HWV 9, Act II, Scene 1, "Dolce riposo")

"The gods of good and evil – At last everything is prepared" (Sycorax)

Jean-Marie Leclair: Scylla et Glaucus, Act IV, Scene 4, "Et toi, dont les embrasements… Noires divinités"

 

HELENA

Why am I living?

Why am I yet living?

I long to sleep forever!

Then oblivion would be mine.

I’d sleep forever.

If I could only rest,

I’d rest forever.

 

(Sycorax enters without Helena knowing)

 

Then oblivion would be mine.

Sleep and forever…

 

SYCORAX

The gods of god and evil at

have brought me something,

presentable enough,

or at least for my uses

Familiar longings, long lost,

are stirring within me.

 

HELENA

Living?

Why am I living?

Why can’t I sleep forever?

How I long for the arms of sleep,

calm and comforting and deep.

Good night forever!

 

SYCORAX

At last. Now I can begin again.

My hers and simples – unaided,

they have but little power.

But this, stolen from him,

will reinvent my art,

I hope, long enough,

to forge wonders,

and burn with sufficient flame

to carry out my plan,

to let nature continue

what pure magic began.

 

Once, once, at my command

eager ghosts would appear

and would bow.

And wait for their orders from me.

In my beautiful days

there was fire in my eyes.

I’d sport a crown of gold

and wield a scepter of ice.

 

No, you never forget

how the spells are fashioned.

How ingredients rare

are prepared and are found.

Mingled, burned and ground.

No, you never forget.

With the meager magic that is mine,

still I can conquer,

still I can shine.

 

See! I am young once more

and once more in my glory.

The strength, the splendor

of long, long ago.

Long before it was stolen

and beaten and broken.

Let love be born today

and last as long as it may.

 

14. "Mother, why not? – Mother, my blood is freezing" (Caliban)

Vivaldi: Il Farnace, RV 711, Act II, Scene 5 & 6, "Gelido in ogni vena"

 

(Caliban enters)

 

CALIBAN

Mother, why not?

Why mot Miranda?

I know, I know that you hate her.

Or rather, hate her father.

Why can’t you see us together?

 

SYCORAX

I’ve other plans for you,

my son, my darling.

Look what your mother

has found you!

Open your eyes and

let the sight astound you.

 

CALIBAN

Mother, my blood is freezing.

Mother, my brain is burning.

Turning and then returning,

from heat to ice to fire.

Terror is tinged with yearning.

Half worship, half desire.

Mother, my blood is freezing.

Mother, my brain is burning.

Terror is tinged with yearning

and worship with desire.

It burns with ice and fire.

Half worship, half desire.

 

15. "Help me out of this nightmare" – Quintet: "Wonderful, wonderful" (Helena, Sycorax, Caliban, Miranda, Demetrius)

Handel: Ariodante, HWV 33, Act I, Scene 5, recitative preceding "Prendi, prendi"

 

HELENA

Help me out of this nightmare,

for pity’s sake!

 

SYCORAX

Say something!

She is waiting.

 

CALIBAN

Ehm!

You angel of this earth.

Are you awake?

 

HELENA

Beautiful.

 

CALIBAN

Wonderful.

 

HELENA

Helena.

 

CALIBAN

Caliban.

 

HELENA

Caliban, Caliban.

What’s this emotion

filling my heart with you?

 

CALIBAN

Helena.

Feel my devotion,

my love for you.

 

HELENA

Wonderful new emotion

filling my heart with you!

 

CALIBAN

Feel my devotion

let me gaze on you!

 

Prospero’s side of the island

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful.

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful.

 

MIRANDA

Wonderful.

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful.

 

MIRANDA & DEMETRIUS

All my devotion is to you.

 

16. "Welcome Ferdinand – Wonderful, wonderful," reprise (Prospero, Miranda, Demetrius)

"All I’ve done is try to help you" (Prospero)

Vivaldi: Longe mala, umbrae, terrores, motet, RV 629, "Longe mala, umbrae, terrores"

 

PROSPERO

Welcome, Ferdinand!

 

DEMETRIUS

I will by all means,

should I come across him.

I, meanwhile, am Demetrius,

at your service.

Or more precisely,

at your daughter’s.

 

PROSPERO

I beg your pardon?

 

MIRANDA

Come, darling Demetrius,

let me show you this island.

 

It’s wonderful, wonderful,

like this emotion,

this brave new emotion.

Filling my heart with you.

 

DEMETRIUS

Beautiful lady,

I conquered the ocean.

Conquered the ocean,

so I may gaze on you!

 

(Miranda & Demetrius leaves)

 

PROSPERO, to Ariel

All I’ve done is try to help you and protect you!

Why did I decide to care for you at all?

After all I’ve done, after all I’ve done,

one thing I ask you, one simple task,

but far too hard for you.

You go back and do as I told you,

yes, do as I told you.

Go straight back and do as I told you,

yes, do as I told you.

Why did I decide to care for you at all?

 

On a beach

 

17. "Curse you, Neptune" (Lysander)

Vivaldi: Griselda, RV 718, Act III, Scene 6, "Dopo un’orrida procella"

 

LYSANDER

Curse you, Neptune!

I defied you.

Thnaks to my breath,

my life and my death

were denied you.

I have conquered,

conquered sea and tempest.

I have vanquished,

I have tamed the raging sea!

But you will not vanquish me!

Come on, Neptune, do your worst!

By Lysander you stand accursed!

 

Curse you, Neptune!

I have defied you.

Since my death has beed denied,

I will go to find my bride!

 

18. "Your bride, sir? "(Ariel, Lysander, Demetrius, Miranda) – Trio: "Away, away! You loathsome wretch, away!" (Miranda, Demetrius, Lysander)

Handel: Susanna, oratorio, HWV 66, Part II, "Away, ye tempt me both in vain"

 

(Ariel & Miranda enters)

 

ARIEL

Your bride, sir? Look no further.

 

(Demetrius enters)

 

LYSANDER

Demetrius, my old friend!

But who is this?

 

Wonderful, wonderful!

Beautiful creature,

 

MIRANDA

Ah!

 

LYSANDER

I conquered the ocean,

so I may gaze on you.

 

DEMETRIUS

You! You again?

 

LYSANDER

Demetrius, my old friend!

At the same tricks as usual!

 

DEMETRIUS

Ignore him, oh, my love.

He has done this before.

 

MIRANDA

Let me gaze on this angel.

It is you I would ignore!

 

DEMETRIUS

Admired Miranda!

I conquered the ocean for you!

 

MIRANDA

But what an odd thing to do!

A brave new world

that has such creatures…

 

DEMETRIUS

Stop that!

 

LYSANDER

No, you stop it!

What about Helena?

 

DEMETRIUS

Who?

 

LYSANDER

And your honeymoon?

 

DEMETRIUS

Who the hell is Helena?

And what about Hermia?

 

LYSANDER

Who?

 

MIRANDA

Who are Helena and Hermia?

And who are you?

 

DEMETRIUS

My sweet Miranda!

 

MIRANDA

How dare you come twixt me and my…

 

LYSANDER

Lysander.

 

MIRANDA

Lysander.

 

MIRANDA & LYSANDER

We rhyme! Yes, we rhyme!

 

(Ariel leaves)

 

DEMETRIUS

My darling, how you’ve changed!

And in so little time!

 

MIRANDA

Away, away!

You loathsome wretch, away!

 

DEMETRIUS

No, let me stay

and hear what I’ve to say.

 

LYSANDER

I think she was clear,

she does not want you here.

What a lady commands,

it’s polite to obey.

 

MIRANDA

Away, away!

You loathsome wretch, away!

Repulsive to my sight, away!

 

DEMETRIUS

Oh, may I stay?

Please hear what I’ve to say.

 

LYSANDER

Again she was clear,

she does not want you here.

So please, will you please go away!

 

DEMETRIUS

I’ll stay, I’ll stay.

 

MIRANDA

Away, away!

You loathsome wretch, away!

Repulsive to my sight, away!

 

LYSANDER

She wants you to go

she does not want you here.

 

DEMETRIUS

I’ll stay, I’ll stay.

I know you love me!

I’ll never go away.

 

MIRANDA

Away!

 

LYSANDER

I think you have heard

her final word

which if memory serves

was “away”, go away!

You heard the lady say go away,

so maybe obey, okay?

 

(Miranda, Demetrius & Lysander leaves)

 

19. "Two castaways – Arise! Arise, great Neptune" (Ariel)

Attr. Henry Purcell: The Tempest, or, The Enchanted Island, Z. 631, Act II, no. 3, "Arise, ye subterranean winds"

 

(Ariel enters)

 

ARIEL

Two castaways,

but neither is this “Ferdinand”.

My all-seeing eye

has somehow overlooked him.

But how? And why? And…

Duh! Wrong ship!

The spell didn’t feel right!

But, duh, wrong ship!

The right one must be miles away.

I’m fored to call a greater master,

one with the greater sway!

 

Arise! Arise, great Neptune!

Hear my prayer!

Arise, arise from slumber

or whate’er might ail you.

Hear a spirit’s request.

And scour your boundless,

heaving breast.

By which I mean, the sea.

For Ferdinand.

That’s “Fer-di-nand”!

So this captive spirit can be free!

Love, Ariel!

 

In the forest

 

20. "This is convolvulus" (Helena, Caliban) – "If the air should hum with noises" (Caliban)

Handel: Deidamia, HWV 42, Act II, Scene 4, "Nel riposo e nel contento"

 

HELENA

This is convolvulus,

and this, evening primrose.

So called because…

well, the clue’s in the name.

And look at these leaves.

Similar, but subtly not the same.

So many multi-colored miracles

in nature’s treasure trove.

A universe of wonders

within this tiny grove.

What’s that?

 

CALIBAN

The sounds of the island.

Don’t let them alarm you.

I promise you,

there’s nothing here to harm you.

 

If the air sould hum with noises,

don’t be frightened,

don’t be troubled or dismayed.

It’s the island.

If the air sould hum with voices,

don’t be frightened,

don’t be troubled or afraid.

It’s my island.

Let it woo you.

Let it’s magic music flow through you.

Let it please you,

ease your sorrow evermore.

Soothe your sorrow evermore.

 

And this sound so sweet,

so consoling it come from

the mountains to the shore.

And this sound so consoling,

it comes rolling from

the mountains to the shore.

And it haunts me as I’m sleeping.

I have woken, woken weeping,

for I long to dream once more.

 

And this sound so sweet,

so consoling it comes rolling

from the mountain to the shore.

And this sound so consoling,

it comes rolling from

the mountains to the shore.

It’s so lovely I can’t bear it.

But now someone’s her to share it.

It is lovelier than before.

 

In the ocean

 

21. "Neptune the Great" (Chorus)

Handel: Four Coronation Anthems, HWV 258, "Zadok the priest"

 

CHORUS

Neptune, the great,

the lord of the ocean.

We welcome you to this land.

Heaven and earth will rejoice.

Rejoice to hear your voice!

Heaven and earth will rejoice

to hear your voice!

 

(Ariel enters)

 

22. Who dares to call me? (Neptune, Ariel)

Based on Handel: Tamerlano, HWV 18, "Oh, per me lieto"

"I’d forgotten that I was Lord" (Neptune, Chorus)

Rameau: Hippolyte et Aricie, Act II, Scene 3, "Qu’a server mon courroux"

 

NEPTUNE

Who dares to call me?

And who dares to defy me?

Some reckless mortal abused

my name and cursed.

 

ARIEL

That wasn’t me!

I’m just a humblee spirit

who’s lost and longs for for guidance.

I need your help,

for you to scour the oceans!

 

NEPTUNE

Scour them yourself!

How dare you tell great Neptune

what he should do or shouldn’t do!

Fear me, respect me, revere me.

For in my wrath, I can do wonders.

I angered, the merest twitch of my right hand

can turn tide into tempest

and whip seas into maelstroms!

I’ll smash this island

with waves as tall as treetops!

All dry land’s at my mercy.

So, do not rile me!

 

ARIEL

Please, mighty god, please help me.

 

NEPTUNE

Forgive me.

I’m sorry, forgive me.

I beg you.

I’m old, I’m irritable, I’m weary.

You called me,

and Ariel, I will hear you.

But it may be…

that I’m too tired to help you.

 

ARIEL

No you are great!

You are mighty!

I ask one thing.

My spell, no, my master’s, was corrupted.

I don’t know how.

But the seas did not do as I bade them.

My master’s frail,

but firm in his insistence that I do his magic.

And only then will he free me.

Oh, I’m longing to flee my island prison,

and plunge and frolic with your dolphins.

 

NEPTUNE

Go swimming with my dolphins?

If you can find them,

then you’re welcome!

My ocean, my deep blue heaven,

my realm apart,

when I think of it now,

it breaks my heart.

Gone forever, my perfect sea.

My oceans, once upon a time,

how sublime they used to be.

This my gift, from god to mortal,

every droplet, every wave.

But like spoiled, ungrateful children,

they destroyed the gift I gave.

Gone forever, my perfect sea.

My oceans, once upon a time,

how sublime they used to be.

 

ARIEL

I’m no mortal! I’m a spirit.

I loathe the humans,

and I don’t need them to help me.

The oceans, the heavens,

are in your hands, O mighty Neptune!

O master of the waves,

hearken to my plea.

I need a god to set me free.

 

NEPTUNE

I’d forgotten that I was

the lord of the ocean!

Every tempest is in my power,

every shipwreck is in my sway.

I am your master, yet your servant.

Therefore, I will do as you say!

Every tempest is in my power,

every shipwreck is in my sway.

I am your master, yet your servant.

Therefore, I will do as you say!

In my anguish, in my distraction,

I neglected your humble plea!

But I will search, and I will find him,

if I have to scour the sea!

 

CHORUS

He is the master of every maelstrom,

every shipwreck and every storm!

He is our lord, our mighty master,

miracles are his to perform!

 

NEPTUNE

I am master of every maelstrom…

 

CHORUS

He is the master of every maelstrom,

every shipwreck and every storm!

 

NEPTUNE

…every shipwreck and every storm!

I am your lord, I am your master.

 

CHORUS

Miracles are his to perform!

 

NEPTUNE

Mighty, mighty miracles

are mine to perform!

Hurricanes will do his bidding,

they will answer unto his call!

Mighty earthquakes, sudden tempests

 

CHORUS

He’s the master who rules them all!

Wave upon wave, higher than mountains,

oceans as they rise and they fall!

 

NEPTUNE

Yes, I am the lord of them all!

 

CHORUS

Neptune is the lord of them all!

 

Prospero’s side of the island

 

23. "We like to wrestle destiny – Chaos, confusion" (Prospero)

Handel: Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11, Act II, Scene 5, "Pena tiranna"

 

 

PROSPERO

We like to wrestle destiny,

but it’s stronger than we are.

Despite my magic,

rather, my interference,

my fine intentions,

to bring peace and forgiveness,

to save my girl from heartbreak,

to be a generous master,

has all turned to dust.

And to disaster.

 

Chaos, confusion,

madness, delusion.

What have I wrought here,

ah, what have I done?

 

Seeking forgiveness,

hoping for harmony,

I have sown discord

where there was none.

Heartbreak and discord,

where there was none.

Seeking forgiveness,

hoping for harmony,

sowing only discord

where there was none.

 

Chaos, confusion,

madness, delusion.

What have I wrought here,

ah, what have I done?

 

Act 2

 

In a cave

 

24. "My God, what’s this? – Where are you now?" (Hermia)

Handel: Hercules, oratorio, HWV 60, Act III, Scene 3, "Where shall I fly?"

 

HERMIA

My God, what’s this?

A serpent at my breast!

Quick, pluck it from me!

Help me, Lysander!

Here it comes again!

Hissing and writhing,

gnawing at my heart!

What! Has it gone?

Ah, what a dream was here!

Lysander, look.

See how I quake with fear.

And you were there,

laughing, exulting,

as a jagged snake

was scrabbling at my flesh!

You mocked your Hermia!

 

Where are you now?

You left me here alone,

in this dark place!

But wait! I remember now!

I remember how the flood arose

and bore you from my arms.

Yes, yes, yes!

I remember how the flood arose

and bore you from my arms.

Then, then, it bore you on its back!

And dashed you to the depths of hell!

Slowly, I could see you wave farewell,

as your body turned and fell.

My Lysander, my Lysander.

 

No, my love!

I remember all the vows we swore

to live or die together.

Heaven heard us say that come what

may our love would last forever!

You’d never abandon me,

no, never abandon me!

My love, my love, no,

never abandon me.

Stronger than wind or weather!

The everlasting love

which binds us both together,

it is mightier than the seas.

Stronger than wind or weather!

Yes, the love which binds us together

is mightier than the sea.

Stronger than wind or weather,

your love for me!

 

(Hermia leaves)

 

25. "So sweet, laughing together – My strength is coming back to me" (Sycorax)

Vivaldi: Argippo, RV 697, Act I, Scene 1, "Se lento ancora il fulmine"

 

(Sycorax enters; Caliban & Helena passes by)

 

SYCORAX

So sweet, laughing together.

How long? Who can tell?

The spell may last forever.

Look! I’m smiling, I’m hopeful.

And yes, my heart is starting to glow.

The long forgotten glory

of long, long ago.

 

My strength is coming back to me.

I feel it grow unstoppably.

I feel it deep inside of me,

like thunder underground!

Yes, underground!

I hear it in the heart of me,

a rushing, gushing sound.

Like thunder underground!

A river racing ceaselessly,

astounding it its savagery.

A raging seas inside of me,

a flood. A raging flood!

My strength is coming back to me,

I feel it in my blood,

like a raging river!

My strength is coming back to me,

I feel it in my blood.

 

Ah, we here like that in the springtime

of love and of laughter.

But what came after?

First, he smiled at me.

Then, he turned from me,

leaving me dying,

nursing a broken heart.

 

My strength is coming back to me.

I feel it grow unstoppably.

I feel it deep inside of me,

like thunder underground!

Yes, underground!

I hear it in the heart of me,

a rushing, gushing sound.

Like thunder underground!

A river racing ceaselessly,

astounding it its savagery.

A raging seas inside of me,

a flood. A raging flood!

My strength is coming back to me,

I feel it in my blood,

like a raging river!

My strength is coming back to me,

I feel it in my blood.

 

(Sycorax leaves)

 

26. "Have you seen a young lady?" (Demetrius, Helena, Caliban) – "A voice, a face, a figure half-remembered" (Helena)

Handel: Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11, Act III, Scene 4, "Hanno penetrato i detti tuoi l’inferno"

 

(Caliban, Helena & Demetrius enters)

 

DEMETRIUS

Have you seen a young lady?

She’s called Miranda.

 

HELENA

No.

 

CALIBAN

No.

 

HELENA

I’m Helena,

and this Caliban.

 

CALIBAN

Her intended.

 

HELENA

Maybe we’ll see you later.

 

DEMETRIUS

That would be splendid.

 

(Demetrius leaves)

 

HELENA

A voice, a face, a figure,

half remembered,

from somewhere, so distant.

Perhaps I dreamed him,

and know him from the dream.

But no, I’m waking.

The morning mists are dispersing.

On man comes shining through them.

His name live in my heart.

It is… Demetrius!

 

(Helena leaves)

 

27. "His name, she spoke his name" (Caliban)

Handel: Hercules, oratorio, HWV 60, Act III, Scene 2 "O Jove, what land is this? – The rage"

 

CALIBAN

His name.

She spoke his name.

What’s he to her?

And what is she to him?

Usurped and spurned,

more sinned against than sinning!

Oh, my nightmare,

my curse is just beginning!

 

The rage. The rage. The rage.

When love begins to turn,

then only rage remains.

I feel the fire burn

within my feverish veins

like liquid fire it burns

within my veins.

Helena… Helena the fair.

Or Helena the whore?

I sense it in the air.

I feel its beating wings!

I hear its mighty roar,

its mighty roar.

I love the sound,

I love the song of anger.

Anger, my old friend,

I welcome you once more.

The rage. The rage. The rage.

When love begins to turn…

Helena, I thank you.

I feel the anger grow and blow

and blister and burn.

Helena!

 

(Caliban leaves; Miranda, Helena, Hermia, Demetrius & Lysander enters)

 

DEMETRIUS

Miranda? Miranda!

 

HERMIA

Lysander!

 

HELENA

Demetrius!

 

HERMIA

Lysander!

 

HELENA

Demetrius, oh, Demetrius!

 

(Miranda, Demetrius & Lysander leaves)

 

 

HERMIA

Helena!

 

HELENA

Hermia?

 

28. "Oh, my darling, my sister – Men are fickle" (Helena, Hermia)

Handel: Atalanta, HWV 35, Act II, Scene 3 – "Amarilli? – O dei!"

 

HELENA

Oh, my daring, my sister.

 

HERMIA

My love.

 

HELENA

For this we survived?

To see our husbands…

 

HERMIA

…whom we recently married!

Or did I imagine that bit as well?

 

HELENA

You didn’t.

 

HERMIA

I thought not.

 

HELENA

Finding our husbands…

 

HERMIA

Who neither seem to know us…

 

HELENA

Nor really want us.

 

HERMIA

Oh, what a way to behave!

 

HELENA

What on earth’s going on?

 

HERMIA

How should I know?

I’ve been stuck in a cave.

 

 

HELENA

Nightmare!

And who’s that minx

wearing next to nothing?

 

HERMIA

I’ve no idea. No idea.

 

HELENA

Well, she’s getting far more attention

than we are!

 

HERMIA

Men are fickle.

 

HELENA

Oh, sister, how true.

 

HERMIA

Fickle!

Oh, my sister, men are fickle

always plotting to deceive you.

 

HELENA

Fickle!

 

HERMIA

Men are fickle!

 

HELENA

Yes, my sister, men are fickle

first they love you,

then they leave you.

 

HERMIA

Then they leave you?

 

HELENA

It’s true.

 

HERMIA

Oh, heavens.

Simply leave you?

 

HELENA

Yes, sister, they do.

 

HERMIA

Men are fickle, men are fickle.

 

HELENA

Men are fickle, oh, my sister.

 

HELENA & HERMIA

Tears that trickle,

tears that blister,

will fall from our eyes.

Tears that trickle,

tears that blister,

they will fall, yes,

fall from our eyes.

 

HERMIA

Oh, sister.

 

HELENA

Oh, sister.

 

HERMIA

Oh, my sister,

men are fickle.

 

HELENA

Men are fickle, oh, my sister.

 

HERMIA

Always plotting to deceive you.

 

HELENA

Claim they love you,

then they leave you.

 

HELENA & HERMIA

How did we fall for their lies?

How did we ever?

We fell for their lies!

 

(Helena & Hermia leaves)

 

29. "I knew the spell" (Sycorax, Caliban) – "Hearts that love can all be broken" (Sycorax)

Giovanni Battista Ferrandini (attr. Handel): Il pianto di Maria, cantata, HWV 234, "Giunta l’ora fatal –Sventurati i miei sospiri"

 

(Sycorax & Caliban enters)

 

SYCORAX

I knew the spell was imperfect.

I’d hoped that there was time

for her to love you.

But her heart is plainly given.

 

CALIBAN

What do you mean, a spell?

She likes me, Mother.

It was going so well!

We talked. We talked

and walked for hours,

held hands and walked

and picked wildflowers.

There wasn’t just botany,

there was chemistry!

Did I dream it?

 

SYCORAX

No.

First love, first loss,

first bitter fruit of youth.

But now, my son,

at least you know the truth.

 

Hearts that love can all be broken.

Hearts that love will all be broken.

That’s the truth that stays unspoken.

Yes, the truth that’s never spoken.

But my son, you’ve learned it now.

You’ve learned it now.

How I wish that I could have spared you

or prepared you somehow.

How I wish I could have spared you.

So forgive me, I beseech you.

It’s too late for me to teach you now.

 

This, the fate of every mother.

Standing, and watching,

weeping as you suffer.

Watching, weeping as you suffer

knowing nothing can be done.

So perhaps you understand, my son.

 

Hearts that love can all be broken.

Hearts that love will all be broken.

That’s the truth that stays unspoken.

Yes, the truth that’s never spoken.

But my son, you’ve learned it now.

You’ve learned it now.

How I wish that I could have spared you

or prepared you somehow.

How I wish I could have spared you.

So forgive me, I beseech you.

It’s too late for me to teach you now.

 

(Sycorax leaves)

 

30. "Such meager consolation – No, I’ll have no consolation" (Caliban)

Vivaldi: Bajazet, RV 703, Act III, Scene 7, "Verrò, crudel spietato"

 

 

CALIBAN

Such meager consolation

for such monumental pain.

Your tears, your remonstrations,

are all in vain!

 

No, no. I’ll have no consolation,

there is no consolation.

My one desire is vengeance

on her and every woman.

I’ll show them who is master.

The man they long for,

to honor and obey.

I know an incantation,

a secret divination

to summon who I dream of.

A breed of brazen concubines

to serve me all night, all day.

To serve me night and day.

To pamper and delight me

in every wicked way!

 

31. Masque of the Wealth of all the World

a. Quartet: Caliban goes into his dream, "Wealth and love can be thine"

Rameau: Les Indes galantes, Act III, Scene 7, "Tendre amour"

 

(Quartet enters)

 

QUARTET

Wealth and love

can be thine forever there.

For the pleasure,

they joy and delight.

Wealth and love, yes,

wealth, love and wine.

Beauteous boys and girls

from all ‘round the world,

they will sport in thy sight.

Lovely limbs, lovely lips,

lovely eyes, lovely ladies

all for thy joy and delight.

 

(Quartet leaves)

 

b. Parade

Rameau: Les fêtes d’Hébé, Troisième entrée: Les Dances, Scene 7, Tambourin en rondeau

c. The Women and the Unicorn

Rameau: Les fêtes d’Hébé, Troisième entrée: Les Dances, Scene 7, Musette

d. The Animals

Jean-Féry Rebel: Les Éléments, Act I, Tambourins I & II

e. The Freaks – Chaos

Rameau: Hippolyte et Aricie, Act I, Tonnerre

 

(Prospero enters)

 

f. Waking

Rameau: Les Indes galantes, Act III, Scene 7, "Tendre amour," reprise

 

(Prospero & Caliban leaves)

 

At sea

 

33. "With no sail and no rudder – Gliding onwards" (Ferdinand)

Handel: Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11, Act II, Scene 1, "Io ramingo – Sussurrate, onde vezzose"

 

FERDINAND

With no sail and no rudder,

inexorably onwards,

the power that leads us

is far stronger than we are.

At first we panicked…

“No Ferdinand”, said my father.

“Be calm.

Face your fate with resignation.

Neptune has chosen

our final destination.”

Prospero’s Island.

It grows nearer and nearer.

And that face from my dreams

shines aver clearer.

 

Gliding onwards.

Ever onwards to my final destiny.

Cradled, oh, so very gently,

till I reach that fateful shore.

It’s as if the sea were whispering to me

the fate that she has got in store.

Oh, so sweetly.

“Ferdinand,” she says, “your life

will change forever, evermore.

Yes, completely,

life will change forevermore.”

 

In the forest

 

34. Sextet: "Follow hither, thither, follow me" (Ariel, Miranda, Helena, Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander)

Handel: Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, oratorio, HWV 46a, Part II, Quartet: "Voglio tempo

 

ARIEL

Follow, follow

hither, thither, follow me.

 

DEMETRIUS

My Miranda!

 

HERMIA

Oh, my Lysander!

 

DEMETRIUS

My Miranda, where can she be?

 

ARIEL

Follow hither, thither, follow me.

 

MIRANDA

Oh, Lysander!

 

HERMIA

Where is Lysander?

 

LYSANDER

My Miranda!

 

HELENA

Demetrius, come back to me.

 

MIRANDA

How I need you to come back to me.

 

HELENA

Darling, oh, where can you be?

 

LYSANDER

My Miranda, you belong to me!

 

HERMIA

Come, come to me!

 

ARIEL

Where I lead, follow me.

 

LYSANDER

Oh, Miranda!

 

HERMIA

Oh, my Lysander!

 

HELENA

Oh, Demetrius, where can you be?

 

HERMIA

My Lysander, do not abandon me.

 

LYSANDER

Miranda!

 

HELENA

Demetrius!

 

MIRANDA

Lysander!

 

LYSANDER

Miranda!

 

HERMIA

Lysander!

 

LYSANDER

Where’s she gone, my joy,

my happiness and my life?

 

HELENA

How could you leave me?

 

HERMIA

Half a day ago, I was his wife.

 

LYSANDER

Where’s she gone, my joy,

my happiness and my life?

 

DEMETRIUS

How I love you.

 

HERMIA

Tell me, how could you leave me?

 

HELENA

Have you forgotten every kiss, every vow?

 

HERMIA

How could you abandon me now?

 

ARIEL

Follow hither, oh, follow

hither, thither, follow me.

 

DEMETRIUS

My Miranda!

 

HERMIA

Oh, my Lysander!

 

DEMETRIUS

My Miranda, where can she be?

 

ARIEL

Follow, hither, thither, follow me.

 

MIRANDA

Oh, Lysander!

 

HERMIA

Where is Lysander?

 

LYSANDER

My Miranda!

 

HELENA

Demetrius, come back to me.

 

MIRANDA

How I need you to come back to me.

 

HELENA

Darling, oh, where can you be?

 

LYSANDER

My Miranda, you belong to me!

 

HERMIA

Come, come to me!

 

ARIEL

Where I lead, follow me.

 

LYSANDER

Oh, Miranda!

 

HERMIA

Oh, my Lysander!

 

HELENA

Oh, Demetrius, where can you be?

 

HERMIA

My Lysander, do not abandon me.

 

(Miranda leaves)

 

35. "Sleep now" (Ariel)

Vivaldi: Tito Manlio, RV 78, Act III, Scene 1, "Sonno, se pur sei sonno"

 

ARIEL

Sleep now.

Sleep, and sleep deeply.

And when you waken

all the wrong roads you’ve taken

you’ll think of no more.

Sleep now.

Let all these visions

vanish like thistledown.

Vanish forever.

When you see who you first loved

they will be who you first loved.

You’ll love as before.

 

36. "Darling, it’s you at last" (Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, Helena)

Vivaldi: La verità in cimento, RV 739, Act II, scene 9, "Anima mia, mio ben"

 

HERMIA

Darling, it’s you at last.

 

LYSANDER

Darling, it’s you at last.

 

HERMIA

Come, let me hold you fast.

 

DEMETRIUS

Let me gaze at you forever.

 

HERMIA

I swear that I will never

let you escape again!

 

HELENA & DEMETRIUS

Let me gaze at you, my daring.

 

HERMIA & LYSANDER

I will never…

 

HELENA & DEMETRIUS

All the sorrow we have known,

all our sorrow, all our pain…

 

HERMIA

I swear that I will never…

 

DEMETRIUS

…it has vanished.

 

LYSANDER

I swear that I will never…

 

HELENA

…it has vanished.

 

HERMIA & LYSANDER

…let you escape again.

 

HELENA & DEMETRIUS

Let us fall in love again.

 

(Ariel leaves)

 

HERMIA & LYSANDER

I swear that I will never…

 

HELENA & DEMETRIUS

All the sorrow we have known

all our sorrow, all our pain…

 

HERMIA & LYSANDER

…let you escape again.

 

DEMETRIUS

…it has vanished.

 

HERMIA

I will never…

 

HELENA

…it has vanished.

 

LYSANDER

I will never…

 

HELENA & DEMETRIUS

Let us fall in love again.

 

HERMIA & LYSANDER

I swear that I will never

let you escape again.

 

On the shore

 

37. "The wat’ry God has heard the island’s pleas" (Chorus)

Handel: Susanna, oratorio, HWV 66, Part III, "Impartial Heav’n!"

 

CHORUS

The watery god

has heard the island’s pleas.

For he has sent us bounty from the seas.

 

(Prospero, Ariel & Miranda enters)

 

38. "Sir, honored sir – I have dreamed you" (Ferdinand, Miranda)

Handel: Tanti strali al sen mi scocchi, cantata, HWV 197, "Ma se l’alma sempre geme"

 

FERDINAND

Sir, honord sir, I, Ferdinand,

am conjoined by the duke, your brother,

to bring you this decree,

“Pardoned and freed from exile are

Duke Prospero and his dauther, Miranda.”

Miranda…

 

MIRANDA

I was blind, but now I see you.

My other self, the better half of me.

A familiar place, but one I’ve yet to know,

like…

 

FERDINAND

A brave new world?

 

MIRANDA

Exactly so!

 

FERDINAND

I have dreamed you, now I see you.

Now I stand and gave in wonder

at the sight of you.

 

MIRANDA

I have dreamed you, now I see you.

Now I stand and gaze

in wonder, in delight.

 

MIRANDA & FERDINAND

Now I can see you,

see you as you are.

 

FERDINAND

I have dreamed you, now I see you.

Now I stand and gave in wonder

at the sight of you.

 

MIRANDA

Yes, I have dreamed you.

 

MIRANDA & FERDINAND

Now I can see you,

can see you as you are.

 

I was lost, and I was lonely,

stumbling in the night.

Yes, stumbling in the darkest night.

Now I have my love beside me.

I have you, my love beside me

as my guiding light.

Now I stand with you beside me,

my salvation, my guiding light.

 

FERDINAND

I have dreamed you, now I see you.

Now I stand and gave in wonder

at the sight of you.

 

MIRANDA

I have dreamed you, now I see you.

Now I stand and gaze

in wonder, in delight.

 

MIRANDA & FERDINAND

Now I can see you,

see you as you are.

 

FERDINAND

I have dreamed you, now I see you.

Now I stand and gave in wonder

at the sight of you.

 

MIRANDA

Yes, I have dreamed you.

 

MIRANDA & FERDINAND

Now I can see you,

can see you as you are.

 

39. "The time has come. The time is now" ("Maybe soon, maybe now," reprise) (Sycorax)

Handel: Teseo, HWV 9, Act V, Scene 1, "Morirò, ma vendicata"

 

(Sycorax & Caliban enters)

 

SYCORAX

The time has come.

The time is now.

I’ll take my vengeance,

be revenged on you at last.

How I long to be revenged

be revenged on you at la–

 

40. "Enough! How dare you?" (Prospero, Neptune) – "You stand there proud and free – You have stolen the land" (Neptune)

Rameau: Castor et Pollux, Act V, Scene 1, "Castor revoit le jour"

 

PROSPERO

Enough! How dare you?

In whose name do you defy my will?

 

(Neptune enters)

 

NEPTUNE

In mine.

In Neptune’s.

Hear me, and be still.

You stand there, proud and “free”,

with no vestige of conscience,

with no shame at what you’ve done

to this woman and her son.

You have your excuses!

You suffered tyranny, it’s true.

But age and rage have made

a thief and a tyrant out of you!

 

You have stolen the land

that was rightfully hers and mine.

You have taken her faithful servant

as your plaything.

You have taken her son

and make him your minion.

You have stolen her heart.

There are times when the gods

can stand no more.

When, appalled at what we’ve seen,

we are forced to intervene

to hold a mirror to mankind,

and to show you what we find.

To shame you and to name you

as the man you are.

 

41. "Lady, this island is yours" (Prospero, Caliban, Ariel) – "Forgive me, please forgive me" (Prospero)

Handel: Partenope, HWV 27, Act III, Scene 4, "Ch’io parta?"

 

PROSPERO

Lady this island is yours.

It was before I came here,

and so it remains.

And my magic, that is yours, too.

Use it how you will.

Whatever wish you wish for,

my books will fulfill.

 

CALIBAN

A queen to reign beside me,

that is all that I seek.

 

PROSPERO

This island’s yours once more.

 

(Ariel leaves)

 

And with it, all I possess.

From now on, who knows how,

or how long, I will live.

But one thing remains,

which only you can give.

 

Forgive me.

Please forgive me.

Pardon the wrongs I have done.

Forgive me.

Please forgive me.

Pardon what I have done.

Yes, I was heartless.

Pardon the wrongs I have done.

 

I brought despair and heartache

on you and everyone.

Broken, contrite,

if only I could right

all the wrongs I’ve done.

 

Forgive me.

Please forgive me.

Pardon the wrongs I have done.

Forgive me.

Please forgive me.

Pardon what I have done.

Yes, I was heartless.

Pardon the wrongs I have done.

 

42. "We gods who watch the ways of man" (Neptune, Sycorax, Chorus)

Handel: L’allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato, HWV 55, Part I, "Come, but keep thy wonted state – Join with thee"

 

NEPTUNE

We gods who watch the ways of man,

shudder, sometimes, with dismay.

But here is one who shows he can

dare to try the righteous way.

 

Earth below communes with heav’n above

when we proceed with mercy and love.

Then earth below communes with heav’n above.

And so, let high and low combine.

Let gods be human, man divine.

 

CHORUS

May the voice of mercy bless us.

Let its tender touch caress us.

 

SYCORAX

Now your voice has spoken,

spoken with mercy.

I forgive you.

 

(Sycorax, Caliban, Miranda, Ferdinand & Neptune leaves)

 

43. "This my hope for the future" (Prospero) – "Can you feel the heavens are reeling" (Ariel)

Vivaldi: Griselda, RV 718, Act II, scene 2, "Agitata da due venti"

 

PROSPERO

This, my hope for the future

to make amends,

make peace before I die!

Appear, appear beloved spirit.

You’re free now!

And so am I.

 

(Ariel enters)

 

ARIEL

Can you feel the heavens are reeling?

Can you see the planets stirring?

Mighty meteors whirring and exploding

into showers of light and shooting stars.

And shooting stars!

Now I’m free, the world is my chorus.

All for me, wild jubilation!

Can you see this gleeful celebration?

Look, there’s Venus and Mercury

dancing with Mars.

With shooting stars!

 

(Ariel leaves)

 

PROSPERO

Our revels now are ended.

These our actors, were all spirits

and have melted into air, into thin air.

And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,

the cloud-capp’d towers,

the gorgeous palaces,

the solemn temples,

the great globe itself,

shall dissolve,

and like this insubstantial pageant faded,

leave not a rack behind.

 

44. "Now a bright new day is dawning" (Ensemble)

Handel: Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63, Part III, "Hallelujah"

 

ENSEMBLE

Now a bright new day is dawning.

Let the people rejoice!

The darkness has passed.

Rejoice!

The day of gladness is here at last.

The seraphim are singing with united voice

now a bright now day is dawning.

Let the people rejoice!

Rejoice!

May all the world rejoice!