Thomas Adès

The Tempest

Thomas Ades' opera, in three acts, was commissioned by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, who gave the first performance on 10th February 2004, conducted by the composer.

Instrumentation: Prospero (high Bar)/Ariel (high S)/Caliban (T)/Miranda (M)/Ferdinand (T)/King (T)/Antonio (T)/Stefano (BBar)/Trinculo (CT)/Sebastian (Bar)/Gonzalo (BBar)/Court: SATB chorus 3(II+III=picc).3(III=ca).3(III in A=bcl).3(III=cbsn) – 4.3.2.btrbn.1 – timp – perc(2/3): glsp/keyboard glsp/crot/handbells/2 tgl/cyms/2 susp.cym/2 whips/2 clappers/shell chimes/sheet metal/metal mcas/ratchet/geophone/4 branches/log drum/anvil/tam-t/3 SD/small BD (or kit BD)/BD – harp (act 3 only) – upright pno – strings (some basses with extensions to B)