The Rake's Progress The Rake's Progress The Rake's Progress is an English-language opera in three acts and an epilogue by Igor Stravinsky. The libretto, written by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman, is based loosely on the eight paintings and engravings "A Rake's Progress" (1733–1735) of William Hogarth, which Stravinsky had seen on 2 May 1947, in a Chicago exhibition. The story concerns the decline and fall of one Tom Rakewell, who deserts Anne Trulove for the delights of London in the company of Nick Shadow, who turns out to be the Devil. After several misadventures, all initiated by the devious Shadow, Tom
The Life of Saint Mary the Harlot The Life of Saint Mary the Harlot The Life of Saint Mary the Harlot (c. 370) is a hagiography which can be found in Book 1 of Rosweyde's "Vitae Patrum". The work is an extract from the work "The Life of Abraham". The earliest Syriac manuscript to contain it (fifth or sixth century) leaves the authorship anonymous. "The Life of Saint Mary the Harlot" is later attributed to Ephraem, deacon of Edessa and was likely written towards the end of his life, though there have been claims against Ephrem's authorship. Certain parallels have been noticed between Ephraem and Abraham, the