Co-production with Théâtre de La Monnaie, Brussels; Opéra National de Lyon, San Francisco Opera and Teatro Real, Madrid, in collaboration with Ex Machina, Québec

Robert Lepage’s recent production of Stravinsky’s opera The Rake’s Progress takes The Royal Opera to Hollywood for its first Covent Garden appearance. Hogarth’s depiction of a young man’s dramatic seduction and corruption by a pleasure-loving society gains a new twist through celebrity culture in the Los Angeles world of movies and television. From star of the silver screen to bankruptcy and madness, it’s all part of an inevitable downward cycle for the ‘hero’ Tom Rakewell. Stravinsky’s opera is one of the most performed of all modern operas, not least for its fascinating mix of elements – 18th-century with a 20th-century twist – and will be one big operatic rollercoaster of a ride, not least with Thomas Adès conducting a cast lead by Charles Castronovo, Sally Matthews and John Relyea.

Running time: 3 hours
Sung in English with surtitles