Introduction to Bartok’s “Bluebeard's Castle”

[@gracekrenz943]

What I like about this opera is that, if you strip out the symbolism, it can still work as a simple spooky story. It's really nice to be able to enjoy something in a thoughtful and casual way: "What do the castle shudders mean?" As well as a "Oooh, creepy, blood's dripping out the walls. Cool."

[@thinkforyourself2109]

This is one my favourite operas and certainly my favourite modern opera. There are two points in this opera that are truly gripping, musically: the opening bars of dark foreboding music, and when she hits the high note seeing the landscape unfold. That part gives me chills everytime.

[@danielkrenz]

The opening of that 5th door with Judit's high C is awesome. The music is a little naive at that point, but I think that is another brilliant stroke by Bartok. It is Bluebeard's most open point in the opera, but he still has a few more doors that he is keeping hidden...

[@ritadighent]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@jeffreydortch799]

Excellent overview! I wish I had come across this several weeks earlier!

[@markholland5810]

This production is beyond words…..I never tire watching it

[@danielkrenz]

That production is my favorite one that I have seen. They did a great job especially of making it for TV.

[@etme1000]

Posting this just to encourage you to continue 1) the Bluebeard series 2) posting your videos. Good, valuable, serious work on YT needs to be appreciated and encouraged.

[@danielkrenz]

Thank you so much! I have more planned for the Bluebeard series, hopefully two more videos.

[@angelaknebel4156]

I have only just listened to this opera after years of loving opera and I find it utterly fascinating, both musically and psychologically!, thank you so much for your great introductory video! Is great to see Robert Lloyd as Bluebeard too, I have heard him in various other operas such as Parsifal. Subscribed! 🎹🎵🎹🎵🎹🎵🎹🎵🙂🙂🙂

[@davidchimes3464]

It's an art production dream, so much you can do to enrich the story. I saw one production where the lighting had a late 1960's cosmic vibe and it enhanced the mood in a way I've never been able to recapture (gosh darn it, can't find a video anymore).

[@danielkrenz]

Where was this production? It sounds fascinating!

[@davidchimes3464]

@@danielkrenz I don't know. Someday I'll find it and post it right here. It used to be on KZbin.

[@davidchimes3464]

@@danielkrenzPretty sure it was this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/joPFpYKDbZ5lp8U

[@Gothic55]

Really great podcast. The BFI has released 1963 film called Bluebeard’s Castle by Michael Powell on Blu-ray. Have you seen it. Thank you.

[@shawn6669]

The absolute best version is the one by Michael Powell. My 2c. Like some magnificent bad dream....

[@lalalei2001]

The other day I learned Bluebeard is not a pirate. I knew he was a fairytale wife-murderer with a door that should never be opened; I just thought he was also a pirate. XD

[@markholland5810]

Watch how Judith’s clothes change as the opera progresses……

[@deborahsavrnoch7055]

Question please my husband inherited a painting from his grandparents which they purchased from bela Bartok in 1945 the painting is signed bela Bartok c

[@danielkrenz]

I don't know if Bartok was a painter or not, but I'm sure that he painted a few times. Bartok died in the year 1945. If you have a real painting by him that must be an awesome piece of art!

[@deborahsavrnoch7055]

@@danielkrenz neither did I we've been trying to find information on this painting for quite a while my husband is very picky about who handles it for a while I had a evaluater calling 24/7 trying to get us to relinquish the painting

[@danielkrenz]

@@deborahsavrnoch7055 Best of luck finding out more information about it. If you learn something more, I would love to know about it!

[@johnlukedavenport8700]

I keep wondering what the theme of blood symbolizes?

[@danielkrenz]

To me, the blood is not the blood of Bluebeard’s wives, but his own blood. The blood from the pain that he has experienced.

[@markholland5810]

To me the blood symbolizes the sadism, dark sexuality, manipulation hence blood as a tainted, dirty symbol of human darkness

[@voiceover2191]

@@danielkrenz True, it is his own suffering.