 Glyndebourne has become synonymous with The Rake's Progress thanks to John Cox's 1975 production which was framed within David Hockney's delightfully post-Hogarthian cross-hatched designs.
Inspired by William Hogarth's famous cycle of satirical prints, and blessed with one of the cleverest librettos in all opera - courtesy of the poet W. H. Auden and his friend Chester Kallman - Stravinsky's 1951 opera (whose Venice premiere was, coincidentally, directed by Glyndebourne's then producer, Carl Ebert) is a modern musical morality play. The 'hero' Tom Rakewell, signs a Faustian pact with the devil, swaps the simple country life and a devoted sweetheart for the vain pursuit of big-city bonuses and increasingly exotic pleasures (climaxing in a loveless marriage to the bearded lady from a local fair) and ends up bankrupt and insane in Bedlam.
Conducted for the first time by Glyndebourne's current Music Director Vladimir Jurowski
Book here!
THERE IS A SPECIAL OFFER FOR DIRECT BOOKERS AT THE CLOCKTOWER ONLY (either in person or by telephone 020 8253 1030). ALL THREE OF THE GLYDEBOURNE PERFORMANCES FOR THE PRICE OF TWO! THAT MEANS YOU CAN SEE THE RAKES PROGRESS, BILLY BUDD AND HANSEL & GRETEL FOR ONLY £28 FULL PRICE OR £24.00 CONCESSION!
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