Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Music Festival

On Saturday and Sunday night, the London Sinfonietta returns to the Beijing Music Festival with the new production Bluebeard's Castle.

Bela Bartok based the opera on his friend and poet Bela Balazs's Hungarian libretto, a work rich in symbolism. Only two characters are featured in this story, which traces its origins to a French folktale about Bluebeard and his new bride Judith. 

The upcoming version uses a newly-written English libretto by Daisy Evans and music arranged by Stephen Higgins. The castle is transformed into a happy home for Judith and Bluebeard, a place containing beautiful memories for both. However, Judith suffers from dementia, hence a rift widens between her and Bluebeard, and he becomes the person suffering from their sad fate. The mystery that shrouds the original Bluebeard's Castle transmutes into a story about love and loneliness. 

The troupe has also invited two Chinese child actors to take part in the performances in Beijing. 

Global Times