18, 20, 22 Feb 2006. Conducted by Daniele Gatti, directed by Lorenzo Mariani, with James Morris, Rainer Trost, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz.

The Rakes Progress by Igor Stravinsky will be performed at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Roma (18, 20 and 22 Feb). The first performance took place at La Fenice in Venice on 11 September 1951 and was also directed by Stravinsky. It received triumphant acclaim from the public but the critics had reservations; nevertheless, it stands as a masterpiece of the 20th century. It offers all the aspects of the most classical operatic traditions: the styles, the forms, the genres, the personalities, the instrumentation and the vocalism. But these are mixed with rhythmic anomalies and dissonant elements which confer a sense of novelty, of originality, and above all of absolute modernity. The production will be given in semi-dramatic form, with the scenery and costumes of Maurizio Bal and directed by Lorenzo Mariani. The principal singers will be James Morris, Rainer Trost and Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz. Conducting will be Daniele Gatti an excellent interpreter of modern repertory, demonstrated by the boisterous Wozzeck by Alban Berg, which he conducted at Romes Auditorium in October 2003. Paolo Di Nicola