{"id":12323,"date":"2014-05-30T06:09:19","date_gmt":"2014-05-30T06:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eoisabi.org\/?p=12323"},"modified":"2015-05-12T20:04:41","modified_gmt":"2015-05-12T20:04:41","slug":"the-pilgrims-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/englishroam.com\/?p=12323","title":{"rendered":"Ralph Vaughan Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"

[1872-1958]<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a4 \u00a0The Pilgrim’s Progress<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

An opera by\u00a0Ralph Vaughan Williams<\/a>, based on\u00a0John Bunyan<\/a>‘s allegory\u00a0The Pilgrim’s Progress<\/a><\/em>. The composer himself described the work as a ‘Morality’ rather than an opera. Nonetheless, he intended the work to be performed on stage, rather than in a church or cathedral. Vaughan Williams himself prepared the libretto, with interpolations from the Bible and also text from his wife, Ursula. His changes to the story included altering the name of the central character from ‘Christian’ to ‘Pilgrim’, so as to universalize the spiritual message \u00a0[…] \u00a0The opera contains 41 individual singing roles.<\/p>\n

\u00a4\u00a0 Synopsis \u00a0\u2193<\/h5>\n

\u2022 \u00a0Prologue \u00a0 – \u00a0\u00a0Bunyan in Prison\"pp\"<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The opera opens to the chords of the psalm tune ‘York’. John Bunyan is in Bedford Gaol, completing his book\u00a0The Pilgrim’s Progress<\/em>. He stands, faces the audience, and begins to read from the opening of the book. As he does so, a vision of Pilgrim appears, carrying his burden. A\u00a0curtain<\/a>\u00a0falls to conceal Bunyan, and Pilgrim is alone on stage, reading and in a state of lamentation.<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00a0Act 1<\/h6>\n

Scene 1: \u00a0The Pilgrim meets Evangelist<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Evangelist directs Pilgrim towards the Wicket Gate. Four neighbors, Pliable, Obstinate, Mistrust and Timorous, appear to warn Pilgrim away from his journey. But Pilgrim dismisses them and continues.<\/p>\n

Scene 2: \u00a0The House Beautiful<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Outside of the House Beautiful, Pilgrim \u00abstumbles up to the Cross\u00bb and kneels before it. From off-stage, the voices of Three Shining Ones are heard. They then greet Pilgrim and relieve him of his burden. After Pilgrim knocks on the door of the House Beautiful, the Interpreter bids him welcome, as a chorus greets him. The Interpreter marks Pilgrim’s forehead in blessing, and after receiving a white robe, Pilgrim enters the House.<\/p>\n

\n
Nocturne (Intermezzo)<\/strong><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

Watchful, the house porter, prays for the safety of the house’s denizens and for them to enjoy the blessings of sleep.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Act 2<\/h6>\n

Scene 1: \u00a0The Arming of the Pilgrim<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The Herald asks who will go forth on the King’s highway. Pilgrim volunteers, and a scribe notes his name in a book. Pilgrim then receives \u00abarmour of proof\u00bb, and begins his journey.<\/p>\n

Scene 2: \u00a0The Pilgrim meets Apollyon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Valley of Humiliation, a chorus of Doleful Creatures, howling, surrounds Pilgrim as he enters. Apollyon enters and challenges Pilgrim in single combat, but Pilgrim prevails. The fight has exhausted Pilgrim, but two Heavenly Beings, Branch Bearer and Cup Bearer, restore Pilgrim with leaves from the Tree of Life and water from the Water of Life. Evangelist then returns and gives Pilgrim the Staff of Salvation, the Roll of the Word and the Key of Promise. He also warns Pilgrim to take care at town of Vanity.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Act 3<\/h6>\n

Scene 1: \u00a0Vanity Fair<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the fair in the town of Vanity, \u00aball the pleasures of man\u00bb are for sale. Pilgrim enters, and averts his eyes from Vanity Fair as the crowd surrounds him and offers their wares, from Lord Lechery to Madam Bubble and Madam Wanton. The crowd asks what Pilgrim will buy, and he replies: \u00abI buy the truth!\u00bb The crowd mocks Pilgrim, who denounces them as followers of Beelzebub. Lord Hate-good then appears, before whom the crowd brings Pilgrim. Witnesses, including Superstition, Envy, Pickthank and Malice, as well as Madam Bubble and Madam Wanton denounce Pilgrim. Lord Hate-good asks for the crowd’s verdict, and they demand death. Lord Hate-good orders Pilgrim to be imprisoned.<\/p>\n

Scene 2: \u00a0The Pilgrim in Prison<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pilgrim laments that God has forsaken him. In his despair, clutches at his chest. He feels the Key of Promise, and after he has put it in the lock, he is instantly freed from prison and his bonds are gone. He resumes his journey.<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u00a0Act 4<\/h6>\n

Scene 1: The Pilgrim meets Mister By-Ends<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Woodcutter’s Boy is chopping firewood at the edge of a forest when Pilgrim enters, asking how far there is to go to the Celestial City. The Boy replies \u00abnot far\u00bb, and points out that one can see the Delectable Mountains on a clear day, The Boy then notices Mister and Madam By-Ends as they approach. Mister By-Ends points out that he has become a \u00abgentleman of quality\u00bb. He offers to keep the Pilgrim company on his journey, but Pilgrim replies that those who would travel with him must be willing to stand \u00abagainst the wind and tide\u00bb. Mister and Madam By-Ends refuse, preferring creature comforts and his \u00abold principles\u00bb to poverty. They leave, and Pilgrim resumes his journey.<\/p>\n

\n
Entr`acte<\/strong><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

Scene 2: \u00a0The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the Delectable Mountains, three Shepherds are at evening prayer. Pilgrim approaches them and asks if he is on the path to the Celestial City. They reply yes, and after asking why he wishes to journey there, invite Pilgrim to rest with them momentarily. The voice of a bird sings praises to God. A Celestial Messenger appears and tells Pilgrim that \u00abthe Master\u00bb summons him that day. The Messenger ceremonially pierces Pilgrim’s heart with an arrow \u00abwith the point sharpened with love\u00bb. The Shepherds anoint Pilgrim. The Messenger directs Pilgrim on the path to the Celestial City, to which he must first cross the River of Death. The Shepherds pray for Pilgrim.<\/p>\n

Scene 3: \u00a0The Pilgrim reaches the End of his Journey<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In darkness, a trumpet sounds in the distance. The scene brightens, and voices from Heaven welcome Pilgrim to the Celestial City, at the completion of his journey.<\/p>\n

\n
Epilogue<\/strong><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

Back in Bedford Gaol, again with the ‘York’ psalm tune present, Bunyan addresses the audience, holding out his book as an offering.<\/p>\n

\u00a4 \u00a0\u00a0Excerpts<\/h6>\n

\u2022 \u00a0Nocturne<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2193 \u00a0(Intermezzo)<\/p>\n