The Rake's Progress is a short 1935 ballet based on the drawings of William Hogarth, with music by Gavin Gordon (1901-1970), choreography by Ninette de Valois, and set design by Rex Whistler.
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Gavin Gordon had written some earlier ballets that were not successful. By contrast, The Rake's Progress was an instant hit and has remained in the repertoires of a number of ballet companies. It is the only work of Gavin Gordon's that is remembered today.
Background
Gordon based his scenario for the ballet on Hogarth's series of paintings called A Rake's Progress. These paintings influenced him far more literally than was the case with Igor Stravinsky in his 1951 operatic treatment. Stravinsky's Hogarthian borrowings were limited to the name of the protagonist, the general notion of his progress, and specific ideas for two of the scenes.
The ballet was Gordon's own concept, and he persuaded Ninette de Valois to choreograph it. Frederick Ashton was also involved in its creation.
The Rake's Progress was produced at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1935. The costumes and scenery were by Rex Whistler. They were destroyed in the Netherlands during the Second World War, while Sadler's Wells were visiting that country, but were remade for a revival.
Structure
The ballet consists of the following numbers:
Gordon employed the Swannee whistle in his orchestration.
The ballet has had several recordings (conductors include Constant Lambert and Barry Wordsworth).
Robert Helpmann, who was in the original cast, included it in The Royal Ballet's first tour of Australia in 1956. Other major artists to be associated with The Rake's Progress include Margot Fonteyn and Beryl Grey.