What is The Rake's Progress?
Q: What is The Rake's Progress?
A: The Rake's Progress is an opera by Igor Stravinsky, with a libretto written by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman based on the 18th century paintings and engravings of William Hogarth called A Rake's Progress.
Q: Who is Tom Rakewell?
A: Tom Rakewell is the main character in The Rake's Progress. He is described as a "rake", meaning someone who behaves in an immoral way and has relationships with lots of women.
Q: How does Tom progress throughout the opera?
A: Throughout the opera, Tom does not make any real progress - he starts off in a state of blissful innocence but ends up going mad, having sold his soul to the devil (represented by Nick Shadow). In this sense, he progresses backwards rather than forwards.
Q: Who represents the devil in The Rake's Progress?
A: In The Rake's Progress, Nick Shadow represents the devil. He helps Tom have a good time during his adventures in London before leading him to Bedlam where he eventually goes mad.
Q: What kind of building was Bedlam?
A: Bedlam was a horrible building used to house mad people during the 18th century. It appears at the end of The Rakes' Progress when Tom finds himself there after being led there by Nick Shadow.
Q: How did Stravinsky come across Hogarth’s paintings?
A: Stravinsky saw Hogarth’s paintings at an exhibition in Chicago back in 1947 which inspired him to create The Rakes' Progress opera based on them.
