Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle (Hungaroton Classic – HCD)

(A kékszakállú herceg vára)
Audio CD (1994) – Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra / Conducted by János Ferencsik
Featuring Mihály Székely (Bass) and Klára Palánkay (Mezzo-Soprano)
Label: Hungaroton Classic – HCD 11001

Product Information

Key Details

• UPC: 5991811100124
• Label: Hungaroton Classic – HCD 11001
• Format: Audio CD, Album
• Country: Hungary
• Release Date: 1994
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Modern (Expressionist Opera)
• Total Playing Time: 50:44
• Made In: Hungary

Principal Performers & Production

• Composer: Béla Bartók
• Opera: Bluebeard's Castle (A kékszakállú herceg vára), Op. 11 (Sz. 48)
• Libretto: Written by Béla Balázs (in Hungarian, based on La Barbe bleue by Charles Perrault)
• Conductor: János Ferencsik
• Orchestra: Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra
• Principal Soloists:Manufactured By: VTCD
  • Mihály Székely – Bass (Bluebeard)
  • Klára Palánkay – Mezzo-Soprano (Judith)
• Phonographic Copyright: Hungaroton Classic Ltd.

Overview

Bluebeard's Castle (A kékszakállú herceg vára) is a one-act expressionist opera by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók. The libretto, penned by his friend and poet Béla Balázs, is rendered in Hungarian and draws inspiration from the French tale La Barbe bleue by Charles Perrault. Composed originally in 1911—with modifications in 1912 and a new ending added in 1917—the opera made its debut on 24 May 1918 at the Royal Hungarian Opera House in Budapest.

This recording, issued by Hungaroton Classic in 1994, captures the dramatic essence of the opera in a concise 50-minute performance. With only two singing characters—Bluebeard and his newly wedded Judith—the work unfolds as a psychological and musically charged exploration of secrets, desire, and destiny. The Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, under the seasoned baton of János Ferencsik, brings out the score's intensity and nuance, while the vocal artistry of Mihály Székely and Klára Palánkay provides an unforgettable portrayal of these iconic roles.

Product Features

Format & Technical Details

• Audio Quality:
  • Pristine production on an audio CD ensuring a balanced, clear sound characteristic of Hungaroton Classic's standards.
• Performance Interpretation:
  • The expressive delivery of Bartók’s score by the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra highlights the rich textures, dramatic shifts, and intricate orchestral details.
  • Conductor János Ferencsik’s leadership enhances the overall interpretative depth, bringing out both lyrical warmth and the underlying tension of the opera.
• Recording Attributes:
  • Produced in Hungary with meticulous engineering by György Balla, the record offers authentic insights into Bartók’s modern operatic style.
• Artistic Presentation:
  • The accompanying artwork, designed by Miklós Juhász, and informative liner notes by Péter Várnai provide additional historical and musical context.

Detailed Track Listing

The opera is presented in a single continuous act with the following thematic sections:

1. Megérkeztünk - Ime Lássad – 8:38
2. Nagy Csukott Ajtókat Látok – 4:21
3. Jaj! Mit Látsz? – 3:40
4. Mit Látsz? - Száz Kegyetlen Szörnyú Fegyver – 3:46
5. Ó Be Sok Kincs – 1:46
6. Óh Virágok – 3:43
7. Nézd Hogy Derül Már A Váram – 4:45
8. Nem Akarom, Hogy Előttem – 1:12
9. Csendes Fehér Tavat Látok – 5:09
10. Mondd Meg Nekem, Kékszakállú – 2:25
11. Tudom, Tudom Kékszakállú – 3:31
12. Lásd A Régi Asszonyokat – 2:12
13. Hajnalban Az Elsőt Leltem – 3:48
14. És Mindid Is Éjjel Lesz Már – 1:48

Interesting Facts

• Composition History:
  • Composed in 1911 with subsequent modifications, Bluebeard's Castle is considered a cornerstone of 20th-century modern opera, renowned for its intense psychological dramatism and innovative musical language.
• Performance Legacy:
  • Mihály Székely and Klára Palánkay have long been celebrated for their interpretations of Bartók’s roles. Notably, Székely’s association with Bartók dates back to the 1936 revival of the opera, while this recording remains a benchmark in performance history.
• Cultural Impact:
  • The opera’s enigmatic narrative and musical sophistication have influenced generations of opera lovers and remain a subject of scholarly interest in modern music aesthetics.
• Recording Excellence:
  • This 1994 Hungaroton Classic production, overseen by János Ferencsik and engineered by György Balla, provides an exemplary interpretation of Bartók’s challenging score.

Publishers

This audio CD is produced by Hungaroton Classic and represents an important document of Hungarian operatic heritage. It preserves the original spirit of Bartók’s Bluebeard's Castle, offering listeners an immersive experience in modern operatic expression. The release is a valuable addition for collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts of classical opera and 20th-century music.

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Hashtags

English:

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Hungarian:

#KékszakállúHercegVára #BartókOperája #MagyarOpera #ModernOperai #FerencsikKarmester #SzékelyMihály #PalánkayKlára #BudapestiFestivalZenekar #HungarotonClassic #Operaműremek