Ariane et Barbe-bleue

"Ariane et Barbe-Bleue" ("Ariadne and Bluebeard") is an opera in three acts by Paul Dukas. The French libretto is adapted from the symbolist play by Maurice Maeterlinck. It received its first performance at the Opéra Comique in Paris on 10 May 1907.

The work has often been compared to the operas Duke Bluebeard's Castle by Bela Bartok, which is also based on a symbolist play by Maeterlinck, and "Pelléas et Mélisande" by Claude Debussy, based on another Maeterlinck play. Both plays feature the character of Mélisande. Dukas, who knew Debussy well, in fact borrows from Debussy a musical theme for Mélisande, though the character is minor in the Dukas.

"Ariane et Barbe-Bleue" is seldom performed. Still, Oper Frankfurt gave a new production in its 2007-2008 season and Opéra National de Paris took the work to Japan in July 2008, together with only one other full-length opera, on the company's first tour of that country. Four commercial recordings exist, as well as recordings of an orchestral suite.

Roles

ynopsis

"Time: The Middle Ages"

"Place: Bluebeard's castle"

Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

Recordings

*Dukas, Paul: "Ariane et Barbe-Bleue", (conducted by Leon Botstein), singers : Peter Rose, Ana James, Daphné Touchais, Sarah-Jane Davies, Laura Vlasak Nolen; BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers; 2007.
*Dukas, Paul: "Ariane et Barbe-Bleue", (conducted by Armin Jordan), singers : Katherine Ciesinski (Ariane), Mariana Paunova (la nourrice) Gabriel Bacquier (Barbe-Bleue); New Philharmonia Orchestra, Chœur de Radio France); 1983.
*Dukas, Paul: "Ariane et Barbe-Bleue", (conducted by Tony Aubin), singers : Berthe Montmart (Ariane), Marie Luce Bellary (la nourrice) Xavier Depraz (Barbe-Bleue); Chorus and orchestra; 1968.
*Dukas, Paul: "Ariane et Barbe-Bleue", suite, (conducted by Arturo Toscanini), NBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus; 1947.

External links

* Libretto available at http://www.karadar.com/Librettos/dukas_ariane.html