description The Rake's Progress Overview
“The Rake’s Progress” is a three-act ballet opera by Igor Stravinsky and Ashton, depicting the decadent exploits of Henry Hastings, a London rake, and his fiancée Rachel as they flee justice and indulge in vice across Europe with the help of a sinister fortune teller.
help The Rake's Progress FAQ
Is The Rake's Progress ballet the same work as Stravinsky's opera?
No. Ninette de Valois created the ballet in 1935 to music by Gavin Gordon, while Stravinsky's opera premiered years later and has a different libretto and score.
What source inspired the ballet's plot?
The ballet is based on William Hogarth's series of paintings and engravings about Tom Rakewell's decline. It follows his path from inherited wealth through gambling, debt, prison, and madness.
Who designed the original production?
Rex Whistler designed the scenery and costumes for de Valois's production. His period imagery helped translate Hogarth's eighteenth-century London into theatrical tableaux.
Who is the rake in this ballet?
The central figure is Tom Rakewell, not Henry Hastings. His downfall culminates in Bethlem Hospital after he squanders his fortune and abandons the people who care for him.
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