Stravinsky: The Rake’s Progress 1992
Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress (1992) brings Igor Stravinsky's bold 1951 opera to the screen, directed by the imaginative Alfredo Arias in a striking Aix-en-Provence setting. Blending surreal wit with operatic grandeur, the film adapts W.H.
Director: Alfredo Arias
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress (1992) about?
This opera-turned-film follows Tom Rakewell, a young man seduced by fortune and the promises of a mysterious woman, as his reckless choices lead to a surreal unraveling of his life. Blending dark humor with tragic inevitability, it explores themes of greed, artistry, and the price of excess.
Who directed Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress?
Alfredo Arias directed this 1992 production, bringing a visually inventive approach to Stravinsky's modernist masterpiece.
Who stars in Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress?
The film features Jerry Hadley as Tom Rakewell, Dawn Upshaw as Anne Trulove, and Samuel Ramey as Nick Shadow, among others.
Is Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress (1992) worth watching?
If you appreciate Stravinsky's avant-garde style or opera in cinematic form, this 1992 adaptation is a compelling watch. Its surreal staging and stellar performances make it stand out, though it may appeal more to genre enthusiasts than casual viewers.
How long is Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress?
The film runs for 148 minutes, offering a full operatic experience.
About Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress (1992) — A surreal opera adaptation in Aix-en-Provence
Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress (1992) brings Igor Stravinsky's bold 1951 opera to the screen, directed by the imaginative Alfredo Arias in a striking Aix-en-Provence setting. Blending surreal wit with operatic grandeur, the film adapts W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman's libretto, loosely inspired by William Hogarth's haunting engravings of moral decay and ambition. With a runtime of nearly two and a half hours, this production captures the opera's eerie atmosphere—where dreams and downfall collide in a world of decadence and fate.
Performances by Jerry Hadley, Dawn Upshaw, and Samuel Ramey anchor a cast delivering the composer's sharp, modernist score with precision and passion. The visual style of the production complements Stravinsky's music, creating a surreal journey through a story of seduction, artistic obsession, and inevitable ruin.