The Atlanta Opera, Bailey School of Music present “Bluebeard’s Castle”

By Kathie Beckett

New production centers the story on loss of a loved partner to the ravages of dementia

In partnership with The Atlanta Opera and Kennesaw State University’s Bailey School of Music, the North American premiere of a new production of Bluebeard’s Castle was presented at the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center Oct. 7-9.

From the one-act chamber opera by Bela Bartók, Bluebeard’s Castle is traditionally presented as a psychological thriller or Gothic horror as the lover uncovers the secrets of Bluebeard’s past. This new production, from director Daisy Evans and conductor Stephen Higgins, centers the story on the loss of a loved partner to the ravages of dementia in a way that will resonate with anyone who has dealt with aging loved ones.

Michael Mayes (Bluebeard) reunites with Susan Bullock (Judith) in this relatable story. Mayes is well known to Atlanta audiences, having starred in Dead Man Walking here, a filmed version of Glory Denied, as well as Sweeney Todd, The Kaiser of Atlantis, and Carmen. Bullock, one of the world’s most soughtafter dramatic sopranos, is best known for her portrayal of Wagner’s Brünnhilde, which garnered outstanding praise and led her to become the first ever soprano to sing four consecutive cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Royal Opera House. She is making her The Atlanta Opera debut.

Instead of doors masking Bluebeard’s true soul, the audience encounters Judith’s fraught relationship with her memories and its effect on her husband. The roles were first created for the world premiere at London’s Theater of Sound.

“We’ve been excited about this adaptation of Bluebeard’s Castle since its debut in the U.K,” says

Tomer Zvulun, Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director. “This is a production that resonates with so many of us who have struggled through caregiving and loss. As we approach nearly a decade of Discoveries performances throughout the community, I can say with certainty that Bluebeard’s Castle fits the ethos of the series perfectly. We are proud of our partnership with Kennesaw State University’s College of the Arts for this U.S. premiere.”

Additional programming was held to discuss the emotional impact of dementia. Kennesaw State University’s Wellstar College of Health and Human Services supported the production by hosting dementia/altered neurologic simulations for students in three classes as a prelude to the opera.

Next, a panel in “Community Conversations” was held. The panel featured Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ faculty Erica Holliday and artists from the production to discuss the emotional impact of memory, caretaking, and dementia. •