Stravinsky’s gem of 20th-century opera is a timely tale of the perils of success, given a special twist in this memorable production by Robert Lepage, revived by The Royal Opera for the first time. West Coast America of the 1950s and the early days of television give the ‘hero’ Tom Rakewell his route to fame and fortune – and also to the dramatic decline into madness that follows. With visual references to Hollywood classics and a score that combines the 18th and 20th centuries in a fascinating mix, this is a morality tale of the past with definite messages for the present.
The tempting diabolic Nick Shadow, the outrageous bearded woman Baba the Turk, the ‘girl back home’ Anne Trulove: it’s an opera packed with great characters and surprising events played out to the full in this colourful and imaginative production. Add a particularly fine cast of singers under Ingo Metzmacher to this modern operatic masterpiece, and you have the recipe for a great night with The Royal Opera.