(Photo: Michael Cooper) I attended this performance with some hesitation, having already seen its 1993 Toronto premiere as well as two additional times, here and in Montreal. Robert Lepage’s production was striking the first time, but would it be as powerful three decades later? Amazingly, it was. The production (seen May 8) has aged well; it was as mesmerizing as {…}
Anna Netrebko is set to make her role debut as Judith in Béla Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle” on Nov. 30, 2026. The soprano will sing the role alongside bass Alexander Köpeczi, and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Henrik Nánási in a concert performance at the Basel Stadtcasino – Musiksaal. The performance, which will also mark the soprano’s {…}
(Credit: Courtesy Opera San Jose) Opera San José is set to present an all-new production of Béla Bartók’s one-act opera “Bluebeard’s Castle.” The work will be directed by OSJ General Director/CEO Shawna Lucey and will be conducted by Opera San José Music Director Joseph Marcheso. The psychological thriller, which follows a woman who uncovers terrifying corners of her new husband’s {…}
On June 14, 2024, the Metropolitan Opera presented its second program to its Carnegie Hall series which is set to go on tour later this month. The program combined the works of Wagner, Debussy, and Bartók. The result was an uneven opening half and a second half that was perhaps one of the best operatic performances of the entire Met {…}
(Photo credit: Hilary Scott) Last weekend, Symphony Hall was, on a generous account, less than two-thirds full. If you asked anyone why they were there, nine out of ten people would have said: “to listen to Bártok’s Castle.” The few others would be admirers of Alisa Weilerstein, who played the concert’s first half: Haydn’s c-major cello concerto. Chiaroscuro programing. Bartók’s {…}
Opera Southwest is set to present a double bill of Bartok’s “Bluebeard’s Castle” with the “Doctor Atomic Symphony” just in time for Halloween. First on the bill, “Bluebeard’s Castle,” stars Justin Hopkins as Duke Bluebeard and Andrea Hillthe as Judith. Senior set artists from Meow Wolf, Lance Ryan McGoldrick and David Cudney have woven traditional themes, colors, and modern technology {…}
Photo credit: Theatre of Sound Gerald Finley will perform the title role of Bluebeard in Against the Grain Theatre’s upcoming performance of Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.” Mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant will join Finley as Judith. They will present the modern retelling which the Theatre of Sound first produced. This version depicts the love between a long-married couple and their struggles with the {…}
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 24th, 2023. This is Glynatsis’ first production for the mainstage of {…}
Credit: Raftermen / Mihaela Bodlovic for Theatre of Sound/KSU The Atlanta Opera staged a powerful production of Daisy Evans and Stephen Higgins’ interpretation of Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle,” bringing to light the heartbreaking truth of people living with dementia and their caregivers. In this new production, instead of a collector of wives, Duke Bluebeard is the loving husband of his one and {…}
The Atlanta Opera’s Discoveries Series is set to kick off the 2022-23 Season with Bela Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle” on October 7- 9. The opera, which will be presented in association with Atlanta State University School of Music from Kennesaw, will star Michael Mayes and Susan Bullock. It will be directed by Daisy Evans and conducted by Stephen Higgins. “We’ve been {…}
(Credit: Gran Teatre del Liceu official website) The Opéra National de Paris and Gran Teatre del Liceu have announced that they have been forced to postpone the first joint project scheduled for the 2021-22 season. The decision comes on the heels of a drastic increase of COVID-19 cases throughout Europe due to new Omicron variant. The two institutions have agreed {…}