The Rake's Progress
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The Rake's Progress is an English opera in three acts and an epilogue by Igor Stravinsky.
The libretto was written by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman based loosely on the paintings and engravings A Rake's Progress (1733–1735) of William Hogarth. It was first performed in Venice in 1951.
The story concerns the decline and fall of one Tom Rakewell, who deserts Anne Trulove for the delights of London in the company of Nick Shadow, who turns out to be the Devil. After several misadventures, all initiated by the devious Shadow, Tom ends up in Bedlam. The moral of the tale is: "For idle hearts and hands and minds the Devil finds a work to do."
For the noteworthy 1975 Glyndebourne Festival production, sets and costumes were designed by David Hockney.
The Rake's Progress is part of the standard operatic repertoire. There are a several recordings of it, and it is occasionally performed.
Quotes
Shadow (goading Tom into further ridiculous behavior):
- No eye his future can foretell
- No law his past explain
- Whom neither Passon may compel
- Nor Reason can restrain.
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