Bluebeard’s Castle (Herzog Blaubarts Burg)

Bela Bartok's (1881-1945) only opera, Bluebeard's Castle, follows Bluebeard and his new wife Judith as Bluebeard shows Judith his castle. Judith is intrigued by seven locked doors, which Bluebeard reluctantly lets her open. Judith grows more worried after opening each door and discovers Bluebeard's three other wives behind the seventh. Bartok intended the opera as a wedding present for his wife, Marta Ziegler. Bluebeard's Castle premiered on May 24, 1918 in Budapest. The opera is often performed in concert but is staged less frequently due to the difficulty of Bela Balasz' Hungarian libretto. English translation by Christopher Hassall and German translation by Wilhelm Ziegler. Detailed instrumentation: 4(3, 4d.Picc).2+EH.3(3d.BCl). 4(4d.CBsn): 4.4.4.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Hp: Cel: Org: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): OnStage Tpt(4). Tbn(4): Vocal soli (2 roles).