Duke Bluebeard's Castle
(A Kékszakállú herceg Vára) op. 11 BB62 (1911, rev. 1912/18)Libretto by Béla Balász; English version by Chester Kallman (H,E,G)
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
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
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
László Polgár, Jessye Norman, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Deutsche Grammophon 447 040-2