from Act II, Scene 1 of the English opera The Rake's Progress by Igor Stravinsky

Libretto: W.H. Auden

Role: Tom Rakewell, a young man in love with Anne

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: the morning room of Tom's London house, England, 18th century

Synopsis: Tom sits alone in his London house. A few months earlier, he believed that all he wanted was money. Now that he has it, he realizes he isn't happy at all. In fact, he really doesn't like the fast pace of the city at all and longs for the conservative beauty of the country where his love Anne waits. However, he fears that he cannot go back to Anne and the country now and, instead, he must find what he wants in the city somewhere.