Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle
Andriy Zholdak (stage director), Titus Engel (conductor) — With Karoly Szemeredy (Barbe-Bleue), Ève-Maud Hubeaux (Judith), Victoria Karkacheva (Judith)…
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Cast
Andriy Zholdak — Stage director, set designer (Lighting)
Daniel Zholdak — Set designer
Simon Machabeli — Costume designer
Georges Banu — Dramaturgy
Károly Szemerédy — Bluebeard
Ève-Maud Hubeaux — Judith
Victoria Karkacheva — Judith
Orchestre de l'Opéra national de lyon
Titus Engel — Conductor
Program notes
The Femmes libres? Festival continues at the Opéra de Lyon, France, with a rare and delicate jewel: Bluebeard’s Castle, the sole opera by Béla Bartók. The Hungarian composer's take on the tale depicts Bluebeard not as the usual monster, but as an idealistic man, madly in love with his fourth wife Judith. It is she who pushes him to open the infamous doors of his castle, a request to which he consents out of love.
The unusual dynamic between the mythical couple inspired director Andriy Zholdak and playwright Georges Banu to conceptualize a dual staging. A realistic first section introduces Judith’s point of view and evokes the theme of "pathological love," while the second explores the mythology of the work, particularly focusing on the portrayal of Bluebeard. This production also stands out for its atypical casting choices, with Károly Szemerédy in the title role and not one, but two Judiths, sung by Ève-Maud Hubeaux and Victoria Karkacheva.
The Opéra de Lyon once again showcases an innovative interpretation of a richly symbolic masterpiece, highlighted by top-notch stage direction as well as a set design that enhances the audiences’s immersion in the timeless storyline.
Photo © Stofleth
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