The Enchanted Island, a Baroque pastiche

2012 3h 2m EN

Music

Synopsis

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A contemporary take on the 17th-century genre of the pastiche, this delightful Baroque fantasy brings together some of the greatest arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, Purcell, and other composers with a new English libretto by Jeremy Sams, inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The all-star cast is headed by David Daniels as Prospero, Joyce DiDonato as Sycorax, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, Luca Pisaroni as Caliban, and the legendary Plácido Domingo as Neptune. Early music specialist William Christie conducts this dazzling world-premiere production, designed and directed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Danielle de Niese
Ariel
Joyce DiDonato
Sycorax
David Daniels
Prospero
Luca Pisaroni
Caliban
Plácido Domingo
Neptune
William Christie
MET Orchestra

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Phelim McDermott
Writers: George Friederic, Antonio Vivaldi

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Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 4

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 182 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 4

ERA

Did you know

Released 14 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 4

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 4

CAST

Did you know

Danielle de Niese and Joyce DiDonato and David Daniels carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Phelim McDermott directs. A long sit — settle in.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 182 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
2Released 14 years ago.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Danielle de Niese and Joyce DiDonato and David Daniels carry the top of the cast.