Personage Press

Vince Peterson's setting of Shakespeare's text from "The Tempest" is a great alternative to the long-treasured staple by Vaughan Williams. The three-part ostinato in the alto line turns the section into a sort of backup group (the "nymphettes" if you will...) who herald the sea nymphs now caring for Ferdinand's father deep at the bottom of the water. The pulsation and doo-wop nature of the alto trio is meant to heighten the comic effect of Ariel's failed attempt to console Ferdinand at this moment in Act 1, Scene 2 of the play.