The opera Lampedusa is set in a parallel Shakespearean universe. The plot takes place before the arrival of Prospero and Miranda in Lampedusa, allegedly the island portrayed in Shakespeare’s play The Tempest.
In the opera, Lampedusa is a mysterious island, inhabited by invisible musical creatures. It is believed that the islands’ music could drive people mad. Legend tells that Sirens learn their craft there. The opera tells the story of Sycorax, a refugee from Europe, her son, Caliban, and Ariel. Ariel is an invisible native inhabitant who objects Caliban’s ambitions of reigning over the island.
The libretto is in the imaginary island’s language Vōv, created by celebrated language inventor David J. Peterson. Vōv builds upon Peterson’s previous experience with the fictional language Dothraki, which he created for the TV series Game of Thrones.
See documentary:
vimeo.com/331262882
