The Greek National Opera is set to present a double bill of “Bluebeard’s Castle” and “Gianni Schicchi” this March.

The production, which features Themelis Glynatsis rendition of the Bartok opera and John Fulljames’ take on the Puccini classic, opens on March 9 and runs for four performances through the 24^th, 2023.

This is Glynatsis’ first production for the mainstage of the Greek National Opera; he previously directed the play White Rose during the 2018-19 season as part of the GNO’s Alternative Stage programming. It will star bass Tassos Apostolou in the title role and mezzo Violetta Lousta as Judith.

“The work functions as a symbolist anatomy of a human relationship, and as a descent into the labyrinthine psyche that lies hidden inside the mysterious blue-bearded duke,” the director noted.  This production takes a conscious step away from the serial killer lore that usually trails the work to focus instead on a man and a woman on their wedding night, sinking gradually ever deeper into a universe consisting of multiple realities and psychological trauma, repressed memories and unfamiliar spaces.”

Meanwhile, “Gianni Schicchi” will star baritone Dionysios Sourbis in the title role, soprano Julia Souglakou as Zita, soprano Vivi Sykioti as Lauretta, tenor Yannis Christopoulos as Rinuccio, tenor Yannis Kalyvas as Gherardo, mezzo-soprano Diamanti Kritsotaki as Nella, baritone Vangelis Maniatis as Betto di Signa, bass Christophoros Stamboglis as Simone, baritone George Mattheakakis as Marco, soprano Syranous Tsalikian as La Ciesca, baritone Kostis Rassidakis as Maestro Spinelloccio, baritone Harris Andrianos as Ser Amantio di Nicolao, bass Nikolas Douros as Pinellino, and bass-baritone Georgios Papadimitriou as Guccio.

Vassilis Christopoulos will conduct the production.