Opera Daily 🎶 —The Rake's Progress
This week's Opera Daily is “No word from Tom" from The Rake’s Progress by Igor Stravinsky
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Today we’re listening to…
“No word from Tom" a soprano aria from Act 1 of the English opera The Rake’s Progress by Igor Stravinsky.
Renée Fleming is singing the role of Anne Truelove here. While this role was originally written for a lighter (and higher) voice type, I love Renée’s version. Her voice is lush and has just the right amount of shimmer and drama.
While this opera was written in 1951, Stravinsky’s was heavily influenced by Mozart (that becomes clear via the structure and use of orchestra). If you listen closely to the orchestra, you will be able to hear classical elements and more modern elements stitched together to form the neoclassical style that Stravinsky was known for — creating a bridge between the past and his contemporary musical style.
The Rake’s Progress is the only full-length opera that Stravinsky wrote.
🎧 Listen here (8 minute listen): Soprano Renée Fleming singing “No word from Tom" a soprano aria from Act 1 of the English opera The Rake’s Progress by Igor Stravinsky.
In this aria, Anne Trulove has been waiting for Tom Rakewell’s return from London where he traveled to claim an inherited fortune from his uncle. She is worried about him because she has not heard from him since he arrived. Torn between going after him and caring for her father, she finally decides that her love for him is too much to ignore, and she must go to him.
No word from Tom.
Has love no voice?
Can love not keep a May-time vow in cities?
Fades it as the rose cut for a rich display?
Forgot!
But no! To weep is not enough.
He needs my help.
Love hears, love knows,
Love answers him
across the silent miles and goes.
Want more?
This piece is divided into three distinct parts that dramatize Anne’s decision to venture to London to find Tom. The first is the recitative (No word from Tom), the second is the aria (Quietly Night), and the third is the cabaletta (I go, I go to him).
W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman crafted the opera’s libretto, marrying Stravinsky's musical genius with their poetic brilliance.
The word “rake” here means someone who behaves immorally. “A rake can be found wasting his inherited fortune on gambling, wine, women, clothes or other entertainment in gross excess.”
Grateful for your time and ears,
Michele
PS. Missed our last edition? We featured “In quelle trine morbide,” a soprano aria from Act 2 of the Italian opera Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini.
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Confess I have never heard this opera and based on this performance I must get a recording and give it a listen. Thanks you.
OEDEPUS REX has a thrilling recording with Colin Davis conducting Shirley Verrett and John Gielgud.
It was done at City Opera in a poor production and at The Met which I did not see.
THIS RECORDING SPRINGS IT TO LIFE.