Description:
1. The first book length study of The Rake's Progress since 1982.
2. This opera premiered in 1951 and is still a staple of opera survey courses and history textbooks today because it strikes at the heart of the cultural shift that took place between the modern and postmodern eras in its exploration of the limits of the human will. In addition to a close reading of the text this book provides critical context its creation and explores its place in the history of opera.
3. Chandler Carter is an established and respected scholar of Stravinsky who has published numerous articles on The Rake's Progress.
Review Quotes:
"Abrilliant addition to the already sumptuous (and still growing) literature on Stravinsky and his music, [and] a tour de force [on] the making of The Rake's Progressand on matters relating to the composer's artistic environment during the coldwar years of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s."--Pieter C. van den Toorn, author of The Music of Igor Stravinsky
"Amust read for those who are seeking an authoritative commentary on the scenario, the music, the text, the premiere and other performances and the reception history of the The Rake's Progress."--Maureen Carr, author of After the Rite: Stravinsky's Path to Neoclassicism (1914-1925)
"...Carter's excellent addition certainly should find a place in academic libraries and in the collections of music scholars everywhere."--Barry Zaslow, Music Reference Services Quarterly.