Duke Bluebeard’s Castle & I pagliacci: Finnish National Opera

About the Event

The Finnish National Opera presents an exciting double bill featuring Duke Bluebeard's Castle by Béla Bartók and I pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo this season.

Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Bela Bartok:
Duke Bluebeard brings his new wife home to his castle. She sees seven doors and begins to open them. What does she find?

Duke Bluebeard's Castle is a symbolist journey to the depths of the mind, underpinned by the effective music of Béla Bartók. The sinister secrets and Bartók's relentless score make this one of the most captivating works in the opera repertoire.

I pagliacci, Ruggiero Leoncavallo:
Fiction and reality mix in a performance by a travelling troupe of actors as the jealous theatre director suspects his wife of being unfaithful. In his famous aria, the Pagliaccio laments that he is obliged to dress up as a clown even though his heart is breaking.

I pagliacci is one of the world's most popular operas, which is scarcely surprising considering it explores deeply fundamental questions: What is life? What is theatre? The FNO last sought answers to these questions 30 years ago. It is time to update I pagliacci.

Production:
Conductor: Mikko Franck
Director: Vilppu Kiljunen
Sets: Sampo Pyhälä
Costumes: Mirkka Nyrhinen
Lighting: design Kimmo Karjunen