Bluebeard's Castle at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

f you uncover all of a person's secrets, what is left? Judith arrives at Bluebeard's gloomy castle as his bride. Unlocking seven doors, she gradually uncovers her husband's life story and his darkest secrets. Behind the last door, she also reveals her own fate.

The legend of Bluebeard has roots extending back to 15th century France. Béla Bartók's contemporary, Béla Balázs, rewrote it as a one-act libretto with strong Freudian undertones and described it as "a ballad of inner life". Behind each door, Bartók reveals a little symphonic poem, expressing everything from an unhappy childhood to an ocean of tears. The music switches between huge chords à la Richard Strauss and harmonic reversals reminiscent of Claude Debussy, mixed with elements from Hungarian folk songs.

Magne Fremmerlid has been closely linked with the Norwegian National Opera as a soloist since 1997, and Hege Høisæter since 2002. Both have sung a wide range of roles and made great contributions to the company's productions, as well as being sought-after concert performers. Bluebeard's Castle is their farewell production.