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The opera tells the story of Shakespeare's The Tempest, albeit in a reduced version: Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, has been ousted from his throne and set adrift on the sea with his daughter, Miranda. The two land on a mystical deserted island and are served by various spirits, including Ariel and Caliban, a misshapen monster. Prospero uses his magical powers to create a storm, causing the shipwreck of the King of Naples and his son, Ferdinand, who thinks he is the sole survivor. Miranda and Ferdinand meet and fall in love. Ariel torments the King into seeing the error of his cruel ways and is reconciled to his son and Prospero. The ship magically reappears, and all prepare to leave the island. Caliban remains as the island's sole inhabitant.
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