Stravinsky, Igor

The Rake's Progress (1948-51)

Duration: 150 minutes
Opera in three acts

Libretto by W H Auden and Chester Kallman (E,Cz,F,G,I)

Scoring
Major roles: lyrS,dramM,hT,Bar; minor roles: A,T,2B; chorus 2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2.2-2.2.0.0-timp.perc:offstage bell/cuckoo-hpd(or pft)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
9/11/1951
Teatro la Fenice, Venice
Carl Ebert, dir / Nicola Benois, prod
Conductor: Igor Stravinsky
Company: Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan

Roles

TRULOVE	Bass
ANNE TRULOVE, his daughter	Soprano
TOM RAKEWELL, her sweetheart	Tenor
NICK SHADOW	Baritone
MOTHER GOOSE, a brothel-keeper	Mezzo Soprano
BABA THE TURK, bearded lady	Mezzo Soprano
SELLEM, the auctioneer	Tenor
KEEPER OF THE MADHOUSE	Bass
Whores, roaring boys, servants, citizens, madmen	chorus

Time and Place
England, 18th century

Synopsis

In the idyllic countryside, Anne Trulove and Tom Rakewell celebrate their love. Anne’s father has found a job for Tom in the city, but Tom longs for an easier path to money. Nick Shadow appears with news that Tom has inherited a fortune from an unknown uncle. They must leave for London and Tom need only pay Shadow for his services after a year and a day. In the wicked city, Shadow introduces Tom to Mother Goose’s brothel. Back in the country, Anne fears the worst and decides that she must rescue Tom. Meanwhile, Tom, in his new London house, is already bored with ordinary pleasures, so Shadow suggests visiting the amazing bearded woman, Baba the Turk. When Anne arrives at Tom’s house, she is horrified to find him married to the hideous Baba. When Tom tires of Baba as well, Shadow appears with one last new idea… a machine that turns stones into bread. Anne again appears to save Tom, but this time his house is for sale and his property for auction. The bankrupt Tom has disappeared with Shadow. Baba urges Anne to follow him. A year and a day from their first meeting, Shadow brings Tom to a graveyard at night. A terrified Tom discovers he must pay not with money but with his soul. But, as Shadow is about to take hold of him, Tom hears Anne’s voice in the distance and his past love is reawakened. Shadow, defeated, disappears into the ground. Tom survives, but he is now mad and is shut up in Bedlam. Anne comes there to comfort him, but there is little to be done. Her father arrives and persuades her to leave Tom to his fate.

Moods
Comic, Tragic

Subjects
Ethics, History, Magic/Mystery, Relationships, Society, Literary

Recommended Recording
Jerry Hadley, Dawn Upshaw, Samuel Ramey, Grace Bumbry, Steven Cole, Anne Collins, Robert Lloyd, Roderick Earle, Lyon Opera Chorus, Lyon Opera Orchestra, Kent Nagano
Erato 0630127152

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Ian Bostridge, Deborah York, Bryn Terfel, Anne Sofie von Otter, Peter Bronder, Anne Howells, Martin Robson, Julian Clarkson, Monteverdi Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Deutsche Grammophon 4596482

Click here to purchase this CD set from Amazon

Items on Sale

Rake's Progress	Libretto (English)	> Details
Rake's Progress	Study Score (hardback) - Hawkes Pocket Score 739	> Details
Rake's Progress	(Vocal Score) (English, German)	> Details