Bluebeard's Castle

Romeo Castellucci’s breathtaking vision of Bartók’s operatic masterpiece.

By Béla Bartók / Libretto by Béla Balázs
Directed and designed by Romeo Castellucci
Conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya / Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Béla Bartok’s electrifying operatic masterpiece, Bluebeard’s Castle comes to Australia directed by one of the world’s most visionary directors, Romeo Castellucci (Mozart's Requiem, Go Down Moses).

Here unfurls the world of Judith, newlywed to Duke Bluebeard and driven to open the seven locked doors of their castle, bringing light into dark corners.

Castellucci transcends a naturalistic setting to ingeniously stage this psycho-thriller on a spectacular water-filled stage lit by flames. Reframing the story to focus on Judith’s viewpoint, we witness a figure drawn deep into her fracturing past; each new chamber bringing an eruption of fire that illuminates both Bluebeard's secrets and the unfolding layers of Judith's psyche.

Lauded for its poetic brilliance, this production illuminates why Bluebeard’s Castle is a 20th century operatic cornerstone; from the awe of its orchestration to the power of its vocal writing. Never seen in Australia with such scale and boldness before, this is an unmissable production that will transfix and transport you.