[On Stage] What Is the Fate of the Woman Who Opened the Seventh Gate? Opera 'Bluebeard's Castle'

Met Orchestra's First Korea Tour Concert
On the 19th-20th at Lotte Concert Hall
Conducted by Music Director Yannick N?zet-S?guin

"'Bluebeard's Castle' is one of the great opera scores."

Yannick N?zet-S?guin, Music Director of the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (Met Orchestra), described the opera 'Bluebeard's Castle,' which will be performed at Lotte Concert Hall on the 19th, in a written interview. Bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, who will take the stage as Bluebeard, also highly praised the work, saying, "'Bluebeard's Castle' orchestra score is a timeless masterpiece."

The Met Orchestra, the resident ensemble of the world’s top opera house, the New York Metropolitan Opera, will hold its first tour performance in Korea at Lotte Concert Hall on the 19th and 20th. As an opera orchestra, they plan to perform a variety of opera works. On the first day, they will perform the only opera by Hungarian composer B?la Bart?k (1881?1945), 'Bluebeard's Castle,' in concert format.

Yannick Nezet-Seguin [Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation, (C)Chris Lee]

The plot is as intriguing as the curious title. It is based on a widely told European folk tale. The protagonists are Bluebeard, an elderly lord, and his young and beautiful wife Judith. Judith begs Bluebeard to open the seven doors inside the castle. Bluebeard initially refuses but reluctantly reveals the secrets behind each door one by one. He strongly discourages Judith from opening the seventh door, but she cannot resist her curiosity. When the seventh door opens, Judith faces an unexpected fate.

In fact, the opera features only two characters, Bluebeard and Judith. The performance lasts about an hour, making it relatively short. Bluebeard is performed by a bass-baritone, and Judith by a mezzo-soprano.

S?guin explained that he chose 'Bluebeard's Castle' to showcase the strengths of the Met Orchestra, especially since it is their first time meeting Korean audiences.

"When performing for the first time in a place like Korea, it is very important to show our strengths. We must do our best and focus on music that demonstrates the orchestra’s level and its capability to perform a variety of pieces. In that regard, 'Bluebeard's Castle' is a perfect starting work."

S?guin described 'Bluebeard's Castle' as "a work that displays diverse and dramatic musical colors and is exquisitely composed not only musically but also from the perspectives of both instrumentalists and vocalists."

Christian van Horne
[Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation, (c)Simon Pauly]

Elina Garanca [Photo provided by Lotte Cultural Foundation, (c) Christoph K?stlin]

Van Horn said, "The colors that come out of the score of 'Bluebeard's Castle' are truly astonishing." He added, "Performing 'Bluebeard's Castle' is a privilege for a vocalist," expressing his great excitement. He also said, "It will be interesting to see how audiences, many of whom have not seen 'Bluebeard's Castle' often, will react."

Van Horn explained that the role of Bluebeard is very demanding and challenging. "It requires navigating between high and low notes, seeking dynamic and extreme sounds. The loud parts must be extremely loud, and the delicate parts must be extremely soft. I believe 'Bluebeard's Castle' is truly a work written for bass-baritones."

The tragic role of Judith will be performed by world-renowned soprano El?na Garan?a.

Garan?a described Judith as a very complex and multi-layered character. "Judith is a character who can be interpreted broadly because she is caught between love for Bluebeard and the fear that arises as the castle’s secrets are revealed. I plan to portray Judith as sensitive, emotionally disturbed, and experiencing inner conflict. My goal is to convince the audience that Judith is a character who is easily hurt."

In the first part of the performance, the overture to Richard Wagner’s (1813?1883) opera 'The Flying Dutchman' and the overture to Claude Debussy’s (1862?1918) opera 'Pell?as and M?lisande' will be performed. 'Pell?as and M?lisande' is Debussy’s only opera.

S?guin explained that he selected these pieces because Wagner and Debussy greatly influenced Bart?k. "Without Wagner and Debussy, Bart?k would not have been able to compose masterpieces like 'Bluebeard's Castle.'"

Lizette Orpeza [Photo provided by Lotte Cultural Foundation, (c) Jason Homa]

On the 20th, the first part of the concert will feature 'Hymn for Everyone' composed in 2021 by American composer Jesse Montgomery (43), Mozart’s concert aria '‘I go, but where?’' and the recitative and aria 'To Berenice... the sun rises,' with soprano Lisette Oropesa, a principal singer of the Met Opera known for her exquisite tone, as soloist. The second part will feature Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.

S?guin said, "Because the Met Orchestra is busy with opera performances, there are not many opportunities to perform magnificent symphonies by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and others. So when the musicians get a chance to perform such symphonies, they prepare with extraordinary passion. Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 will showcase just how fantastic the Met Orchestra is."