This week we dive into the wild world of The Rake’s Progress by Stravinsky with libretto by W.H.Auden & Chester Kallman. The story tells of a lazy young man, Tom Rakewell, who seeks to achieve all of his goals in life with the minimal work required and, in doing so, is seduced by Nick Shadow into leaving his faithful sweetheart from home Anne Truelove. Lucky for him, Anne’s heart is not so easily forgotten, but, does Tom survive this dance with the devil....

This episode discusses how opera in English can be rewarding and challenging, the poetry of the libretto, and best of all, how YOU can prevent the devil finding work for your own hands...unless you want to embrace the darkness that is. 

Support the show