Dukas: Ariane et Barbe-bleue - DVD

ENGLISH

Dukas: Ariane et Barbe-bleue (OA1098D) (2011)<br /> <br /> Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet (Ariane); José van Dam (Barbe-Bleue); Patricia Bardon (Nurse); Gemma Coma-Alabert (Sélysette); Beatriz Jiménez (Ygraine); Elena Copons (Mélisande); Orchestra & Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu; Stéphane Denève<br /> <br /> Dukas's opera Ariane et Barbe-bleue, based on Maeterlinck's symbolist version of the classic tale, sees free spirit Ariane become the sixth wife of the infamous Barbe-bleue, who gives his new bride seven keys to seven doors, but prohibits the use of the last. Ariane discovers an array of glittering jewels behind the first six doors, but a terrifying reality awaits her as she unlocks the seventh.<br /> José van Dam is cast as the villainous Barbe-bleue, while taking on the immensely demanding role of Ariane - who does not leave the stage throughout the entire opera - is American soprano Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet.<br /> <br /> "current production featured the right person in the right place, by entrusting the orchestra of the Liceu, which had never played this opera, to conductor Stéphane Denève." (The Opera Critic)