Bluebeard's Castle

The drama tells the story of Judith, who follows the notorious Bluebeard into his castle, where a mysterious history is hidden behind seven locked doors. Judith wants to open them all, and despite Bluebeard’s repeated warnings, she insists more and more urgently on uncovering the castle’s dark secrets.

The story is based on an old French folk tale, and librettist Béla Balázs (1884-1949) has preserved only the central, fateful conflict. The audience is drawn into the inevitable, catastrophic ending—akin to a Greek tragedy. The plot reflects the darker sides within us, which, according to Jung, must be acknowledged for individuals to grow, heal, and move forward.

Bartók’s version of this drama was composed in 1911 and is his only opera. It is considered one of the 20th century’s masterpieces and was originally scored for a large orchestra and two soloists. In 2020, the work’s rights were released, and this is one of the first chamber versions, maintaining the grandeur of the score in an intense interplay between organ and piano, created by the performers through an extensive and creative process.

The roles of Judith and Bluebeard are played by Hege Høisæter and Magne Fremmerlid, two of the country’s leading opera soloists, each with celebrated careers both in Norway and abroad. At the keyboard, we have the award-winning pianist Thormod Rønning Kvam, and Lars Notto Birkeland, one of Norway’s foremost concert organists. Direction is by Ivar Tindberg, while Kyrre Heldal Karlsen stages the production with unparalleled lighting and video design.

Cast and creators
Hege Høisæter as Judith
Magne Fremmerlid as Bluebeard

Thormod Rønning Kvam, Piano
Lars Notto Birkeland, Organ

Ivar Tindberg, Director
Kyrre Heldal Karlsen, Lighting and Video Design