Bluebeard’s Castle

A striking and emotional examination of love, loss and memory.

“Exceptional production of a dark love story” – Stuff

“The two singers are nothing short of world-class … Their chemistry is electrifying” – Flat City Field Notes

“Vivid and deeply moving from its opening bars until the passionate conclusion” – Five Lines

Following its rapturously received New Zealand premiere in 2023, New Zealand Opera and Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival present the return of the internationally acclaimed Theatre of Sound production of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle.

Inspired by the original folk tale, this haunting reimagining transforms the Gothic classic into an intimate contemporary love story. Discarding horror in favour of empathy, the opera explores ageing, memory, and the quiet devastation of watching someone you love change. A suburban home replaces the castle; a battered suitcase replaces the locked doors, each object holding a fading fragment of a shared life.

Featuring world-class international singers with the Auckland Philharmonia in an immersive festival staging, this is a powerful, emotionally charged opera experience – unmissable, moving, and unforgettable.

Content Advisory: Bluebeard’s Castle (Theatre of Sound production) presents aspects of dementia, memory loss and long-term caregiving. These themes may be deeply emotional for many.