The Enchanted Island: A Review of Sorts

So, today I got to see this fabulous premiere of the Metropolitan Opera's The Enchanted Island.

Here are my personal opinions.

All the music was gorgeous. There hasn't been an opera I've been to yet that wasn't from a MET Live in HD performance, but still, I loved the unique blend of Vivaldi and Handel, and the general Baroque style of the music. It's uplifting, even when the songs are sad. Strangely, I was surprised this opera was in English. (It's also the first opera I've seen in English.)

My favorite character of course had to be Ariel, played by Danielle de Niese.

That's her ^^. She had the best costumes. Ariel was awesome. Her voice was amazing coloratura too~.

I also loved her "free" costume. (Ariel is a spirit, forced to be a slave to Prospero) BTWs, ARIEL IS A DUDE. 

Best. Costumes.

Moving on, I also loved Placido Domingo as Neptune. He was flawless as usual. He got applause before he even started singing. Perhaps this is why. *queue entrance scene*

Gorgeous sets in general for this opera. In his entrance, there were mermaids suspended in the air around him, and the whole stage looked like it was underwater. I loved the mix between traditional painted sets mixed with technology from projections, but it was incredibly vivid.

Another great performance by Joyce DiDonato, playing Sycorax. Her arias were phenomenal. 

So many bird-like costumes~ I thought her transformation throughout the opera was impressive. Her first appearance depicts her as an old hag, but she becomes strikingly beautiful by the end of the opera.

(The final scene, Sycorax forgives Prospero for her years of heartache as Neptune overlooks)

In general, amazing opera. For the plot, which is a mix between Tempest and A Midsummer Nights Dream, it flows surprisingly well, and the way everything comes together makes for one long and beautiful work of art~

NEXT TIME ON REIN'S OPERA BLOG~  Götterdämmerung

The Forth and Final Part of Wagner's Ring Cycle~ *isincrediblyexicted*