Baba the Turk

Blanche Thebom (1918-2010)as Baba the Turk
Mavi Boncuk

Baba the Turk (Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress). Mezzo-Soprano. A bearded lady in a circus, she is helped by Nick Shadow to become Tom Rakewell's wife. She does not reveal her beard until after they are married. Because her non-stop chatter drives him crazy, he repulses her and, furious, she storms around smashing various possessions. To stop her tirade of criticism and complaint in mid-word, he covers her face with a wig. When the wig is removed much later, she continues exactly where she left off. But Baba has a gentler side, and realising Anne is Tom's true love, encourages her to save him, herself returning to continue her circus career.