My special offers

Prices

    0
    300
    0€
    300€

Show / Event

Venue

Experience

Calendar

  • Between   and 

Jean-Marc Lisse / OnP

Jean-Marc Lisse / OnP

Opera

The Rake's Progress

Igor Stravinsky

Palais Garnier

from 30 November to 23 December 2024

from €130 to €175

3h10 with 1 interval

The Rake's Progress

Palais Garnier - from 30 November to 23 December 2024

Synopsis

Listen to the synopsis

0:00 / 0:00

What if we were the true architects of our own failures ? Tom Rakewell could have lived happily ever after had he been content with his mutual love for Ann Trulove. But poverty and ambition lead him down the wrong path: from brothel to gambling house, from absurd marriage to disgrace, ruin and madness, our hero, manipulated by the evil Nick Shadow, travels all the roads of vice and degradation.

Inspired by a series of moralist engravings by the painter William Hogarth, Igor Stravinsky created his first opera in English at La Fenice in Venice in 1951. With its neo-classical style, borrowing from 18th-century codes, the composer disappointed some of his contemporaries in search of the avant-garde.

Yet it was a bold work, particularly in terms of rhythm, that the composer of The Rite of Spring created. Olivier Py's flamboyant staging sheds a bleak light on this Faustian opera haunted by temptation and blindness.

Duration : 3h10 with 1 interval

Language : English

Surtitle : French / English

Show acts and characters

CHARACTERS

Tom Rakewell: A rake
Anne Trulove: Tom’s fiancée
Nick Shadow: Tom’s devilish manservant
Trulove: Anne’s father
Mother Goose: A brothel keeper
Baba the Turk: A bearded woman, Tom’s wife
Sellem: An auctioneer
Keeper of the Madhouse  

First part

Act 1

Scene 1
Idyllic springtime. Anne Trulove and her fiancé Tom Rakewell sing of love and their trust in destiny. Trulove, Anne’s father, offers Tom a position as a clerk which the latter refuses in disgust. He believes in his chance and thinks that man cannot influence his destiny. Thereupon appears a stranger – Nick Shadow – who announces to Tom and the Truloves that the young man has been left a fortune by an extremely wealthy uncle. The two men leave for London in order to settle the estate as quickly as possible. All take their leave in an ambiguously joyful atmosphere.

Scene 2
Mother Goose’s brothel in London. Prostitutes and “roaring boys” sing and drink to Venus and Mars. Nick and Tom are present, and the former puts the latter through his ultimate test before embarking on a new life : to do his duty to himself, pursuing nature, beauty and pleasure. As regards love, Tom, unable to define it, seeks to avoid the question. However, Nick shows him that a life of hedonism can halt the progress of time. Tom sings the praises of that purest of loves that we are forever betraying, before throwing himself into the arms of Mother Goose, the very incarnation of lust.

Scene 3
With no news of Tom, Anne is worried and has a foreboding that he has forgotten his promises and his love. Notwithstanding the affection she feels for her father, she decides to leave him and seek out Tom, who seems so weak to her eyes.

Second part

Act 2

Scene 1
Awaking after a night of orgy, Tom reflects sadly on his new life, his inner emptiness and the excesses of the city : “I wish I were happy”, he sighs. Nick appears and advises him to marry Baba the Turk, the bearded lady and a new fairground icon. This unnatural marriage would make a hero of him. He realises that through this gratuitous act he can affirm man’s freedom over his duties and desires.

Scene 2
Anne finds Tom in his new London life. The scene is set in a cabaret where he plays opposite Baba his lawful wife. Anne observes the procession of theatrical figures that represent the labyrinth of Tom’s existence. Troubled and embarrassed at meeting Anne, he urges her to accuse and denounce him, to leave and forget him. However, she reminds him of her boundless love for him. Baba calls her husband to join her. Anne then learns the truth as Baba enters to the cheers of the crowd.

Scene 3
Baba recounts her eventful life and shows off her treasures. Tom, exhausted by her extravagance, is brutal with her. He can find no other refuge than sleep. He drifts off and dreams of a fantastic machine that could transform stones into loaves of bread and resolves all mankind’s problems. When he awakens, Nick presents him with the machine he dreamt of. An over-excited Tom already sees himself as the saviour of the world thanks to his machine. Nick proposes to introduce him to investors and subscribers in order to mass-produce the machine.

Act 3

Scene 1
The marvellous machine has caused widespread bankruptcy in the City. Tom and Nick have fled disaster. An auctioneer named Sellem has come to sell off Baba’s treasures. He sings the praises of the rich and class differences. Bidders greedy for rare and useless objects crowd around. The auction turns into a consumer sermon. Anne appears, desperately seeking Tom, followed by Baba who lets fly her fury at having lost all. The two women become partners in misfortune and each goes her own way : Anne towards her absolute love, Baba back to the theatre that awaits her. In the distance Tom and Nick’s drinking songs can be heard as they declare their “couldn’t give a damn” attitude to be their new spiritual road.

Scene 2
A cemetery. Mid-stage, a freshly-dug grave. The time has come to settle up. Nick demands his payment, Tom’s soul. But he leaves him a chance : if he can identify the three cards chosen by Nick, Tom’s life will be spared. Although terrified, Tom plays. Thinking of Anne, he chooses the Queen of Hearts – and wins. Seeing two knives, he names the two of Spades – and wins again. Against all expectations and invoking love, Tom once again chooses the Queen of Hearts and wins the match. He has at last attained his true desire, the spiritual love Anne inspired in him. Nick, beaten and furious, nevertheless condemns Tom to insanity before descending into Hell.

Scene 3
In the Bedlam insane asylum, Tom, believing himself to be Adonis, and surrounded by a cheerless chorus of madmen, awaits the visit of Venus. Venus, alias Anne, comes to visit Adonis. Adonis / Tom asks his goddess to forgive his unfaithfulness and madness. Anne cradles him and sings him to sleep. Trulove comes to fetch his daughter. The story is over. Only death will deliver its hero. Tom awakens to find Anne gone and dies. The Chorus mourn his passing.

Epilogue
In front of the curtain, with the houselights up, the five protagonists tell us that true desire is hard to achieve. They bid goodbye to the audience and leave.

Artists

Opera in three acts (1951)


Creative team

Cast

The Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Media

[TRAILER] THE RAKE'S PROGRESS by Igor Stravinsky
[TRAILER] THE RAKE'S PROGRESS by Igor Stravinsky
  • Draw-me The Rake's Progress

    Draw-me The Rake's Progress

    Watch the video

Draw-me The Rake's Progress

Watch the video

Understand the plot in 1 minute

1:31 min

Draw-me The Rake's Progress

By Pajot Matthieu

  • [EXTRAIT] THE RAKE'S PROGRESS - "Ruin, disaster, shame" (Chœurs, acte III)
  • [EXTRAIT] THE RAKE'S PROGRESS - "Gently little boat" (Golda Schultz, Choeurs)
  • [EXTRAIT] THE RAKE'S PROGRESS - "In a foolish dream" (Golda Schultz, Ben Bliss)
  • [EXTRAIT] THE RAKE'S PROGRESS - "No word from Tom" (Golda Schultz)
  • The Rake's Progress (saison 24/25) - Acte 2 - Could it then

  • The Rake's Progress (saison 24/25) - Acte 1 - I go, I go to him

  • The Rake's Progress (saison 24/25) - Acte 1 - No word from Tom

  • The Rake's Progress (saison 24/25) - Acte 1 - How sad a song

  • The Rake's Progress (saison 24/25) - Acte 1 - The woods are green

  • The Rake's Progress (saison 24/25)10 - Acte 3 - Gently little boat

Access and services

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text

In 2008, The Rake’s Progress was Olivier Py’s first production for the Paris Opera. Inspired by the music hall, whose imaginary world he shares with his set designer Pierre-André Weitz, he combines references to musicals and the circus in a shady, even perverse atmosphere faithful to the libretto. Since then, Olivier Py has directed Gluck’s Alceste at the Palais Garnier (2013), Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler (2010) and Verdi’s Aida (2013) at the Opéra Bastille.

BUY THE PROGRAM
  • Cloakrooms

    Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.

  • Bars

    Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.

  • Restaurant

    CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).

  • Parking

    You can park your car at the Q-Park Edouard VII. It is located at Rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris (in front of 23 Rue de Caumartin).

    BOOK YOUR PARKING PLACE.

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text

In 2008, The Rake’s Progress was Olivier Py’s first production for the Paris Opera. Inspired by the music hall, whose imaginary world he shares with his set designer Pierre-André Weitz, he combines references to musicals and the circus in a shady, even perverse atmosphere faithful to the libretto. Since then, Olivier Py has directed Gluck’s Alceste at the Palais Garnier (2013), Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler (2010) and Verdi’s Aida (2013) at the Opéra Bastille.

BUY THE PROGRAM
  • Cloakrooms

    Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.

  • Bars

    Reservation of drinks and light refreshments for the intervals is possible online up to 24 hours prior to your visit, or at the bars before each performance.

  • Restaurant

    CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).

  • Parking

    You can park your car at the Q-Park Edouard VII. It is located at Rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris (in front of 23 Rue de Caumartin).

    BOOK YOUR PARKING PLACE.

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97

Discover opera and ballet in another way

QR code

Dive into the Opera world and get insights on opera and pop culture or ballet and cinema. Scan this code to access all the quiz and blindtests on your mobile.

opera logo

3 min

The Rake's Progress

The Rake’s Progress: the true/false story

Love, vice and money… Will you untangle this complex synopsis of The Rake’s Progress? Ready? Go!

Discover

Immerse in the Paris Opera universe

Follow us

Back to top