Bluebeard’s Castle by Bartók (~60’) One act opera Compose in 1911 and premiered on 24 May 1918 in Budapest The Hungarian was written by Belá Balázas (a poet and friend to

Bartók) and was based off French literary tale “La Barbe bleue” by Charles Perrault.

Main characters:o Bluebeard (Kékszakállú) o Judith (Judit) – Bluebeard’s new wife

Premise: Bluebeard and Judith have just eloped and Judith is coming to Bluebeard’s castle for the first time

Synopsis Setting: a huge, dark hall in a large castle with seven locked doors Judith and Bluebeard arrive at the castle—Judith is presumably leaving

her previous life for Bluebeard and Bluebeard offers Judith an opportunity to leave

Judith decides to stay but wants all the doors open to let light in the dark and cold hallway—she demands this because she loves Bluebeard

The doors are opened, with consistent resistance from Bluebeard who insists that Judith just love Bluebeard and not worry:

o Door 1 (blood-red): torture chamber stained with bloodo Door 2 (yellow-red): storehouse of weaponso Door 3 (golden): storehouse of richeso Door 4 (bluish-green): secret garden of beautyo Door 5 (white): a window onto Bluebeard’s vast kingdomo The light is coming in, however, everything is now stained with

blood, the blood has watered the gardens, and clouds throw blood-red shadows of Bluebeard’s kingdom

Bluebeard urges her to stop, but Judith refuses after coming so faro Door 6 (shadow): lake of tears; entire stage is darkenedo No blood stains this door

Bluebeard says, “love me and ask no questions” Judith starts accusing Bluebeard of murdering his former wives which

could explain the blood everywhere At this, Bluebeard hands over the last key:

o Door 7 (silver like the moon): Bluebeard’s former wives, alive, and dressed in jewels

o Bluebeard praises each one and praises Judith as his fourtho Judith is frightened, but it is too late—she is dressed in heavy

jewelso She follows the other wives along a beam of moonlight through

the seventh door, the door closes, and Bluebeard is left alone in total darkness