Inspired by William Hogarth’s famous series of paintings, Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress charts one man’s path from pleasure to ruin. When the mysterious Nick Shadow appears, Tom Rakewell abandons his sweetheart, Anne Trulove, and leaves behind his country life for the temptations of the city. But London’s glittering promise soon dissolves as love, money and sanity slip farther and farther from his grasp. Can true love save him, or will the devil get the last laugh.

EPSG:4326

The Rake's Progress

Simpson College

**Pelléas & Mélisande at Des Moines Metro Opera**

Join us for a mesmerizing journey into the heart of Impressionist opera with Claude Debussy's only completed opera, "Pelléas & Mélisande." This exquisitely nuanced masterpiece shimmers with the color and texture of a Monet painting, captivating audiences with its hypnotic score and a tale of forbidden love that blossoms in a dreamlike world. 

**Performance Dates & Times:**
- **Saturday, July 6 at 7:30 PM** - Best prices available
- **Friday, July 12 at 7:30 PM** - SOLD OUT
- **Wednesday, July 17 at 7:30 PM**
- **Sunday, July 21 at 2:00 PM** - SOLD OUT

**Venue:** The Lauridsen Opera Center, presented by the Des Moines Metro Opera. 

**Featuring:**
- **John Moore** as Pelléas, making a role debut
- **Sydney Mancasola** as Mélisande
- **Brandon Cedel** as Golaud, in his company debut
- Conducted by **Derrick Inouye**, in his company debut
- Directed by **Chas Rader-Shieber**, marking his seventh DMMO production

**About the Opera:**
Music and Libretto by Claude Debussy, adapted from Maurice Maeterlinck's play, "Pelléas & Mélisande" premiered on April 30, 1902, at Opéra-Comique, Paris. Sung in French with English supertitles, the opera runs approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission. This production marks its company premiere at DMMO.

**The Story:**
Debussy's masterpiece unfolds a tale of tragic love between Pelléas and Mélisande, set against a backdrop of familial strife and ancient curses. Its music defies the traditional forms of opera, flowing directly from the drama and the words, creating an unparalleled emotional and auditory experience.

**Tickets:**
Tickets are available for purchase online. With limited performances, early booking is recommended to secure your seats for this rare and enchanting opera experience. For sold-out dates, please fill out the Ticket Request Form or call 515-209-3257 for potential availability.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience Debussy's "Pelléas & Mélisande," a production that promises to cast a spell of beauty and melancholy, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and memory.

Pelléas & Mélisande

When an enigmatic Shepherd from the East arrives at the Christian court of King Roger, his presence disrupts the court’s established values and view of the world. Do his teachings bring goodness and joy—or destruction and chaos? King Roger himself grapples with questions of self-knowledge, spirituality and his very identity as a monarch and a man.

King Roger

What happens when an opera company and a comedy troupe are spontaneously forced to combine their acts and perform together? With the full cast of characters crammed backstage by a haughty host, our leading ladies – a dramatic soprano and a feisty actress – navigate telling two tales as one.

Chas Rader-Shieber

Events

Upcoming events

4 - 17 Jul, 2026

King Roger · Des Moines Metro Opera

19 - 21 Mar, 2027

Ariadne auf Naxos · Opera Omaha

Past events

5 - 18 Jul, 2025

The Rake's Progress · Des Moines Metro Opera

6 - 21 Jul, 2024

Pelléas & Mélisande · Des Moines Metro Opera

About

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