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Bluebeard's Castle Tickets

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On the schedule

Bluebeard's Castle Tour Dates & Tickets

Inside the performance

Sound, stage & company

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Bluebeard's Castle stands as one of the cornerstones of 20th-century psychological opera. Composed by Béla Bartók with a Hungarian libretto by Béla Balázs, the work draws its language from Hungarian and is based on Charles Perrault's La Barbe bleue. The opera is renowned for its stark, symbolist staging and compact runtime of roughly 60–70 minutes with no intermission. It premiered in Budapest in 1918 and remains Bartók's only opera, a centerpiece of modern opera repertoire that explores memory, fear, and the psyche.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

As a performer page, we highlight the deep, resonant possibilities for the role of Bluebeard (bass to bass-baritone) and the lyrical, dramatic potential of Judith (soprano to mezzo-soprano), with the Prologue frequently delivered by Balázs himself in historic performances. This page captures the artistic lineage, notable recordings, and the 2025 touring circuit that brings this stark, atmospheric work to audiences worldwide.

The essentials

Quick Facts About Bluebeard's Castle

Composer: Béla Bartók; Librettist: Béla Balázs; Language: Hungarian; Based on Charles Perrault's La Barbe bleue.
Two roles only: Bluebeard (bass/bass-baritone) and Judith (soprano/mezzo-soprano); Prologue spoken by Balázs in many performances.
Typical runtime: about 60–70 minutes with no intermission; originally premiered in Budapest in 1918.
Bartók's only opera; a centerpiece of 20th-century psychological opera and symbolist staging.
2025 notable recording: Bartók – Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Karina Canellakis (conductor) with Rinat Shaham and Gábor Bretz; label Pentatone (PTC5187225); released 2025 and hailed as BBC Music Magazine Opera Choice with 5 stars.
2025 tour/performances include Opera San José (California Theatre, San Jose, CA), Calgary Opera (Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Canada), Japan Society (Under the Radar, New York), and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble (Los Angeles).

The records

Bluebeard's Castle Discography

Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle
2025 · Pentatone
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
2007 · Naxos (Opera Classics: 8.660928)
Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle
1998 · Deutsche Grammophon
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
2006 · Chandos (Opera North)
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1966 · Decca
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1962 · Mercury Living Presence
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1960 · Deutsche Grammophon
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1958 · Deutsche Grammophon
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1956 · Hungaroton
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1955 · Bartók Records
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
1953 · Opera d'Oro
Bluebeard's Castle (1936 recording)
1936 · Grandi Maestri alla Scala (reissue 2015)

Upcoming 2025 engagements include Opera San José (California Theatre, San Jose, CA), Calgary Opera (Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Canada), Japan Society (Under the Radar, New York), and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble (Los Angeles). Historic and contemporary recordings span from the 1953 Nilsson/Fricsay rendition to the acclaimed 2025 Pentatone release featuring the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Karina Canellakis, with soloists Rinat Shaham and Gábor Bretz. For fans and new listeners alike, we’ve got you covered with reliable access to tickets and performer updates. Follow Bluebeard's Castle across social platforms and official sites for the latest news and performances.

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