The BBC Philharmonic bring their latest production, Bluebeard's Castle, to the Royal Concert Hall...
On a dark January night, with drizzle coming down sideways, the Royal Concert Hall looms over the crowd like something out of a Gothic horror movie—appropriate, considering tonight's offering. That blue trim on the building's South Sherwood Street side couldn't be scripted better for an opera called Bluebeard's Castle. Inside, though, it's all warmth and welcome as the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra settles in to serve up Béla Bartók's one-act 1918 psychological thriller.
The first half is something of an amuse-bouche. Lili Boulanger's D'Un Soir Triste and Bartók's Hungarian compatriot Zoltán Kodály's Dances of Galánta both evoke a brilliant atmosphere ahead of the one-act opera after the interval and refreshment gin and tonic/sparkling water/cup of Bovril.
The Boulanger is unsettling, discordant, and suspenseful, filled with brooding and feeling strikingly modern. Kodály has more of a David Lean-esque soundtracking quality of great violin swooshes and thunderous kettledrums. Inspired by folk tunes, it is loaded with musical phrases redolent of ideas of Central and Eastern Europe—all dances and beguiling woodwind.
Bluebeard's decorating choices are more "serial killer chic"
Into the second half and the drama begins. New bride Judith rocks up at her mysterious husband's—the eponymous Bluebeard—castle and immediately starts nosing about, demanding he unlock seven pretty ominous-looking doors. What she finds behind them? Let's just say Bluebeard's decorating choices are more "serial killer chic" than "cosy castle vibes"—can you imagine finding your other half's torture dungeon and room filled with the tears of his exes? The new open-plan décor concept at chez Bluebeard doesn't end well for Judith. It's a far cry from a couple's trip to Giltbrook IKEA.
Sung in English, translated from the original Hungarian though still with surtitles, and staged more as a concert than with the usual trappings of set and costume, the pared-back presentation gives music true centre stage. Seeing the orchestra in front of you, rather than squirreled away in a pit, is always a thrill, especially to hear the percussion and see musicians' arms flailing from your seat in the stalls. Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston's Judith leads us through the weeping walls of the castle beautifully, and Christopher Purves' resonant baritone as the despicable Bluebeard (who by the end is giving off true Papa Lazarou energy) really captures the feeling of love he has for Judith and his far darker actions. The whole show is kept in time by German conductor Anja Bihlmaier, resplendent in her silver conducting shoes.
On an evening when much of the UK was at home watching murders in a castle with the finale of The Traitors, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra served up something just as delicious and far more compellingly scored, if just a little less camp. The concert was being recorded for Radio 3, so well worth catching.
The BBC Philharmonic's Orchestra performed Bluebeard at the Royal Concert Hall on January 23rd.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
