Carmen Topciu and  Daniel Sumegi taking part in the 'Bluebeard's Castle' premiere, Final Dress Rehearsal, Sydney, Australia photo by Rhiannon Hopley<br /> <br /> A new, contemporary staging by Australian Director Andy Morton and Associate Director Priscilla Jackman, of the rarely performed psychological thriller, ahead of its premiere at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 1 March. This haunting new production is described as an evocative exploration of the dark recesses of the mind, in a modern interpretation that strips away the layers to confront the disturbing psychology behind the story. Designer John Rayment's inspired use of light creates a stark and chilling set that complements the powerful score and conjures a sense of mystery, with secretive spaces arousing suspicion in the bride-to-be who has abandoned her wedding and run into the arms of the treacherous Bluebeard. Performed in Hungarian and only running 1 hour, this opera demands two commanding singers to tackle the difficult score; Australian bass-baritone Daniel Sumegi and Italian mezzo-soprano Carmen Topciu are equal to the task.
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