Opera San Jose takes on the visceral experience' known as Bluebeard's Castle'

Shawna Lucey, general director of Opera San Jose, is excited to present the Northern California premiere of Bartok's only opera, Bluebeard's Castle. She recalls her thrilling first experience with the opera, seeing it at the Metropolitan Opera. The production features a unique score and tells the haunting story of Judith and Bluebeard exploring seven mysterious locked doors in his castle. With performances taking place from Feb. 15 to March 2, audiences can look forward to an immersive experience with English and Spanish supertitles, showcasing powerful performances from soprano Maria Natale and baritone Zachary Nelson.

"I saw it there with Gerald Finley as Bluebeard, and I was just overwhelmed. It was a hide-in-the-closet, take-a-shower, run-through-the-streets-screaming visceral experience," she says with a laugh.

"Now Lucey is introducing the Northern California premiere of Bluebeard's Castle at Opera San Jose, and says she's fully immersed in Bela Bartok's 1918 opera."

"Bluebeard's Castle was Bartok's only opera, and it's unusual in diverse ways. With a kaleidoscopic score composed in a single act lasting around 70 minutes..."

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