Portland Chamber Orchestra - "Puck's Pranks"

The Synopsis of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Our tale begins in the woods where nighttime brings the revels of the fairies. Amidst the antics of the night creatures wander four lovers and a peddler with his jovial partners. Lysander and Hermia, very much in love, are fleeing Hermia's father who insists she marry Demetrius. Hermia's best friend, Helena, is madly in love with Demetrius and hopes to win him for herself. To that end she has revealed Hermia's plight to Demetrius.

Meanwhile, the fairy kingdom is bristling with electricity in anticipation of the confrontation between their Lord and Lady. Titania, Queen of the fairies, has refused Oberon, her Lord, the gift of a changeling child. Oberon is infuriated, and both have stayed clear of one another until this night.

As Titania enjoys the revels of her fairies, Oberon descends upon them unannounced. The two quarrel, resulting in Titania fleeing with the changeling child. Oberon is enraged and seeks the help of his trusty servant, Puck. Oberon reminds Puck about a special flower that possesses a magical juice which, when placed in the eyes, causes Cupid's arrow to soar through the heart of the next person upon whom those eyes gaze.

While Puck is away, Oberon is disturbed by the noisy arrival of Helena and Demetrius. Helena implores Demetrius to forget Hermia and instead return her love. Regardless, Demetrius continues his search with Helena close to heel.

Puck returns with the special flower to bring Oberon from his contemplative mood. With the flower in hand, Oberon sets off to place the juice upon Titania's eyes as she sleeps. He instructs Puck to muster up a strange bedfellow for Titania to fall madly in love with and also to place the juice upon Demetrius' eyes that he may return Helena's attentions.

Titania and the fairies arrive in the glade. The fairies attempt to sing Titania to sleep, but she still appears agitated after her confrontation with Oberon. Titania finally slumbers, and the fairies depart. Oberon arrives unseen, places the juice into her eyes, and then departs.

Lysander and Hermia, fatigued by their night's adventure, wander into the glade to seek a spot upon which to rest. Lysander, who feels they are all but married, is eager to show his feelings to Hermia. She reminds him that it is best to wait. Stumbling into the glade, Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius, and places the magic juice upon his sleeping eyes.

Still in pursuit of Hermia, Demetrius also comes upon the glade and quickly ducks away to escape the grasp of Helena. Helena, tired and afraid, sees Lysander, and wakes him in hopes of aiding her search for Demetrius. Upon awakening, Lysander immediately pledges his love for a bewildered Helena. As his bravado persists, Helena believes this is a mean plot to further humiliate her and runs from Lysander's grasp.

Hermia awakens to Lysander's disappearance and also runs into the night. Puck, confused in his search for Titania's bedfellow, stumbles upon Bottom the peddler and his partners. Puck chooses to transform Bottom's head into that of an ass. When his friends discover the change, they flee the area. Making a great deal of noise, Bottom wakens the beautiful Titania, who was sleeping nearby. Titania instantly declares her love for Bottom. After much celebration, the two retire to her bower.

Upon arriving to see that Puck's work went better than planned, Oberon is disturbed by the quarreling of Hermia and Demetrius. Hermia continues her search, but Demetrius lies down to rest. Oberon, realizing Puck's mistake, sends Puck to find the others while he himself takes care of Demetrius. Meanwhile Helena and Lysander return to the glade. Helena discovers Demetrius, who wakes speaking words of undying devotion to Helena. The two men begin fighting for Helena and the scene turns into a brawl when Hermia arrives. The men go off in search of weapons with which to duel while the women escape one another.

Oberon and Puck use their powers to lure the lovers away from one another and to sleep. Puck places the couples in their appropriate pairings, and then places the magic juice once more upon Demetrius' eyes.

Oberon awakens Titania, who realizes her dream of Bottom is a reality. Titania graciously accepts Oberon's arm and the pair are reconciled. The lovers awaken, joyful in their harmonious pairings. Bottom also realizes that it was quite a night.

The story ends with a wedding celebration for Helena and Demetrius, and Hermia and Lysander. As the lovers depart, Titania and Oberon return to revel in the night. As a final gesture of reconciliation, Titania gives Oberon the changeling child. Oberon invites his Lady to once again share his kingdom.