Bartók, Béla: Duke Bluebeard's Castle (A Kékszakállú herceg Vára) op. 11 BB62 (1911, rev. 1912/18) 55'
Opera in one act
Music Text
Libretto by Béla Balász; English version by Chester Kallman (H,E,G)
Scoring
S,B, 3mimes, speaker (optional) 4(III,IV=picc).2.corA.3(III=bcl).4(IV=dbn)-4.4.4.1-timp.perc(2):BD/ small dr/tam-t/cyms/susp.cym/xyl/tgl-2harp-cel-org-strings On-stage: 4tpt.4trbn
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
Repertoire Note
Often now well paired with Schoenberg’s Erwartung or Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, Bartók’s opera was originally performed as a companion work to his ballet, The Wooden Prince. His librettist, Béla Balázs, wanted “to depict a modern soul in the primary colours of folksong”. The partnership worked better here, dramatically and musically, than in their balletic collaboration a few years later. As the opera lasts for under one hour, involves only two singing voices, and is a psychological drama, concert performances are also highly effective.
Note by Malcolm Gillies
Recommended Recording
László Polgár, Jessye Norman, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Deutsche Grammophon 447 040-2
Opera in one act
Music Text
Libretto by Béla Balász; English version by Chester Kallman (H,E,G)
Scoring
S,B, 3mimes, speaker (optional) 4(III,IV=picc).2.corA.3(III=bcl).4(IV=dbn)-4.4.4.1-timp.perc(2):BD/ small dr/tam-t/cyms/susp.cym/xyl/tgl-2harp-cel-org-strings On-stage: 4tpt.4trbn
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
Repertoire Note
Often now well paired with Schoenberg’s Erwartung or Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, Bartók’s opera was originally performed as a companion work to his ballet, The Wooden Prince. His librettist, Béla Balázs, wanted “to depict a modern soul in the primary colours of folksong”. The partnership worked better here, dramatically and musically, than in their balletic collaboration a few years later. As the opera lasts for under one hour, involves only two singing voices, and is a psychological drama, concert performances are also highly effective.
Note by Malcolm Gillies
Recommended Recording
László Polgár, Jessye Norman, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Deutsche Grammophon 447 040-2
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