The original version of the new opera "Bluebeard's Castle" by Béla Bartók was a one-act symbolist opera created by the composer based on the Hungarian script of his friend and famous poet Béla Balázs. This opera, adapted from a French folk legend, has only two singing roles: Bluebeard and his newlywed wife Judith. In the original version of the opera, Bluebeard and Judith have just eloped, and Judith is visiting Bluebeard's castle for the first time under his guidance. In traditional productions, the castle is a dark hall with seven doors, surrounded by a damp and suffocating atmosphere.
The version performed this time is based on Daisy Evans' new English translation and re-arranged by Stephen Higgins. The dungeon-like castle has been transformed into a happy home for Judith and Bluebeard, carrying their most precious memories of each other. However, in the new version of the story, Judith suffers from Alzheimer's disease, which isolates her from Bluebeard and leaves him alone to bear the wounds of their lives. The work, originally highlighting mystery and loneliness, has been re-created as a chapter about love.
The new version of "Bluebeard's Castle" was performed at the Beijing Comedy Theatre, continuing the concept of the new opera unit of the Beijing Music Festival in recent years, which embeds classic works into new contexts for a fresh presentation, and the deconstruction of literature and music will bring the audience a new perspective on opera. This version of "Bluebeard's Castle" won the 2022 Royal Philharmonic Society Opera Award and was successfully performed in London and North America. This performance is the Asian premiere.
Performance Information
Date: Saturday, October 7th/Sunday, October 8th
Venue: Beijing Comedy Theatre
Mezzo-soprano: Susan Bickley
Bass: Graham Danby
Actors: Siobhan Cha Cha, Catherine Frain, Ruchika Jain
Child actors: Wang Le-ci, Zhang Yi-chen
Director, adaptation: Daisy Evans
Stage and costume design: Adrian Linford
Lighting design: Jack Willsdon
Sound design: Max Pappenheim
Orchestra: London Sinfonietta
Conductor, adaptation: Stephen Higgins
Tracklist:
New version of Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle opera.
