This week, the Grange Festival is set to open a new production of “The Rake’s Progress,” the final showcase of the season. Among the cast members is Adam Temple-Smith, a rising star in the opera world. Throughout the past years, Temple-Smith has Opera Holland Park, West Green House Opera , the Southrepps International Festival, Garsington Opera, Internazionale d’Arte Festival in Montepulciano, and many houses in Germany, where is based.
With the Grange Festival, he will make his role debut as Tom Rakewell in Stravinsky’s beloved work. Here is a short interview with the tenor. OperaWire: Tell me about the role of Tom Rakewell and how do you see the character.
Adam Temple-Smith: The role of Tom is one that I’ve wanted to sing for many years. In fact his opening aria “Here I stand” was one of the first arias I learned as a student, singing it in my audition for British Youth Opera. Tom is a fascinating and engaging character to bring to life.
He is a young man with the world at his feet and yet he manages to squander it all, seemingly making the wrong decision at every available opportunity. I think it’s easy to see him as weak, unfaithful, foolish, and ultimately deserving of his fate. However, I want to try and show a more sympathetic character, a naive boy who is swept away by the forces around him and unable to resist the malevolent figure of Nick Shadow who is constantly there to try and lead him astray.
OW: What are some of the most challenging aspects of.