About this episode
The episode discusses the themes of love and temptation in Igor Stravinsky's opera The Rake's Progress.
Which is stronger: the temptations of a shadowy wish-granter, or the love of a virtuous woman? In The Rake’s Progress, Tom’s true love Anne seeks to save him from himself, seeking to unwind the schemes of the literal devil. Yet when the dust settles, it is hard to say who has triumphed… Tom is saved, but it is a messy and piteous sort of salvation. In the only full opera composed by Igor Stravinsky, powerful supernatural elements are key to the drama, but the characters–archetypal in many respects–become believable individuals given full life by Stravinsky’s shimmering, evocative, and powerful music. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.
People in this episode
Hosts: Pat, Kathleen
Topics covered
- opera
- love
- temptation
- supernatural
- music
- drama
Keywords
- The Rake's Progress
- Igor Stravinsky
- opera
- love
- temptation
- supernatural
- drama
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Rake's Progress
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