The Pilgrim's Progress (opera)

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The Pilgrim's Progress is an opera by Ralph Vaughan Williams. He described it as a 'Morality' and something to be performed on stage, not in a church. It is based on John Bunyan's masterpiece, using many of his words which are very powerful, however other words are from the Bible and elsewhere. The net effect is to capture the essence of Bunyan's allegory, certainly the spirituality. Man's search for spirituality was a theme of Vaughan Williams as early as 'Towards the Unknown Region' and the 'Sea Symphony'in the early years of the 20th Century. With 'Pilgrim's Progress', Vaughan Williams combined the early themes, ideas and music, with the maturity and experience of later life to produce a masterpiece.

Not only are the words familiar but so is some of the music. The opening of the opera to the chords of the psalm tune 'York' is powerful and they are repeated as Bunyan speaks. They are back again at the end in the same way as Bunyan also returns to talk to the audience and invites them to go on a pilgrimage too. The familiar hymn 'Who would true valor see' is sung by the chorus in Act II, Scene I which Vaughan Williams wrote the tune in 1906.

The music compliments the words and paint the scenes described in the book. The anguish, passion, joy and ecstasy in Act I can all be felt. The Valley of Humiliation is signified by very foreboding music, a precursor to the fight with Apollyon. Even in some of the Entr'acts, there are gems such as Watchful's piece as well as the Woodcutter Boy's.

The dynamics of the work, with moods going from anxiety and despair to ecstasy, torment to peace throughout work extremely well. Having Bunyan introduce the work at the start and 'sum up' at the end, works is very effective.