Opera Omaha: The Rake’s Progress at Orpheum Theatre

Opera Omaha has grown into one of the United States’ most prominent opera companies, internationally acclaimed for its quality productions, commissions of modern American works, and world and United States premieres of classical and modern works, such as Handel’s “Partenope”, Donizetti’s “Maria Padilla”, and Stephen Mager’s “Dream of the Pacific”.

Add the unassailable integrity of conductor Steven White's musicianship, his conducting technique, expressiveness, and the authenticity of his music-making to the direction of award-winning director Roy Rallo, topped by tenor Adrian Kramer as Tom, bass-baritone Craig Colclough as Nick Shadow and soprano Liv Redpath as Anne Trulove, and the result promises something quite amazing – something that cannot be missed.

“For idle hearts and hands and minds, the Devil finds work to do.”

Follow the journey of a young heir, Tom Rakewell, enticed by the promise of wealth and gratification, as he deserts his beloved Anne Trulove to indulge in the pleasures of London alongside the highly suspicious Nick Shadow. After several misadventures, disappointments, and unfortunate incidents, as initiated by the devious Nick Shadow, Tom finds himself in Bedlam, a hospital for the insane at that time in the city of London.

Marking the end of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s neoclassical period, the three-act “The Rake’s Progress” epitomizes everything neoclassical. The opera is loosely based upon eight paintings and engravings of the same name by William Hogarth, of which Stravinsky attended an exhibition. “The Rake’s Progress”, with the libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman, premiered in September 1951 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The most noteworthy performance of the opera to date is the 1975 Glyndebourne Festival Opera performance, with set and costume design by David Hockney and starring Leo Goeke as Tom Rakewell.

The breath-taking 2,600-seat Orpheum Theatre is one of the most iconic performance venues in Omaha. The architecture is stunning, acoustics superb, and sightlines unobstructed, making it one of the most sought-after venues for world-class acts. With seating spread across five floors - the orchestral floor, the grand tier, the balcony, the gallery, and the special boxes – there is a seat suitable to your preference and budget.