Bela Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle

Abstract

This project is a scenographic exploration and design of Bela Bartok's opera, "Bluebeard's Castle". It includes literary and historical research of the story of Bluebeard and the opera. Multiple sources of Bela Bartok's music and productions of the opera were used in the development of this paper and designs for the opera. The scenic, lighting and costume design elements represent the concept of the castle and the mus of "Bluebeard's Castle" as a living and psychological extension of the man himself. Judith enters into the wold and the man at the same time and her journey ends with the tragedy of their souls forever entwined in mutual isolation within the living castle's breathing, crying, and bleeding walls. In addition to the written work, this project included a scenic model, costume renderings, a light plot with the appropriate paperwork to support the designs in each area. Images of the scenic model and costume renderings are included with this submission.