The Calgary Opera is offering up a spring double bill about people behaving badly.
Bluebeard’s Castle and Gianni Schicchi, which open Saturday at the Jubilee, both premiered in 1918, when the world was reeling from the First World War just in time to be hit by the Spanish Flu.
Needless to say, both operas – one composed by Bela Bartok (Bluebeard’s Castle) and another by Puccini (Gianni Schicchi) – are on the bleak side.
Bluebeard’s Castle tells the story of newly-married Judith, who discovers seven locked doors in the castle of her husband, Duke Bluebeard, prompting a quest to reveal what he has hidden behind those locked doors.
Gianni Schicchi tells the story of a recently-deceased aristocrat named Buoso Donati, who leaves his money to a monastery, prompting his greedy relatives to enlist the help of a clever man named Gianni Schicchi to alter the will.
Problems arise when he alters it in ways that the relatives didn’t quite count on.
“Performing a double bill is always an exciting event in an opera company because it allows the audience to experience two very different styles of opera in one evening,” said stage director Alain Gauthier, in a media release.
“While Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle suggests an introspective quest and darker atmospheres, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi offers lighter situations and almost burlesque comedy,“ Gauthier added. ”I believe the eclectic mix will appeal to a broad audience, providing something for everyone, in addition to creating a unique and entertaining opera evening.”
If both tell stories that are a little on the dark side, they do so with a light touch. Bluebeard’s Castle takes a deep dive into the human psyche, while Gianni Schicci blends comedy with Puccini, including the aria “O mio babbino caro.”
Giacomo Puccini was a 19th-century Italian composer who might best be described as the Leon Draisaitl of Italian opera, (to Verdi’s Connor McDavid). Among his iconic operas were a number of the most popular operas ever created -- La Boheme, Tosca and Madame Butterfly.
Bela Bartok was also a 19th-century composer from Hungary who was fond of incorporating Central European folk music into his compositions. Bluebeard’s Castle was his only opera.
Both shows feature sets designed by Calgary’s award-winning designer Scott Reid.
“Our guide for the visual portrayal of these highly-contrasted works will be to create two completely different universes: a mysterious, dreamy and symbolic environment for Bluebeard’s Castle, and a more joyous, humorous and realistic setup for Gianni Schicchi," said Gauthier.
“With the collaboration of the multi-talented Scott Reid - who oversees the lighting, projections, and scenography - we intend to bring the audience in two very distinct but absolutely exciting journeys,” added Gauthier.
“I really enjoy the challenge of directing a large cast for most of the piece. It demands a lot of preparation but also creativity, leadership, and collaboration.”
The roles of both Duke Bluebeard and Gianni Schicchi will be sung by Giuseppe Altomare, who previously played Macbeth in a 2023 Calgary Opera production.
Calgary Opera artistic director Jonathan Brandani, who is conducting, said Calgary audience should expect a few musical fireworks.
“Our audiences are in for an incredibly powerful emotional journey: the tensions and conflicts in the first half will be released and sublimated with irresistibly healthy laughter in the second half!” said Brandani.
“Bartók’s music is full of contrasts and memorable moments, and is very cinematic in its impact. It describes and comments, with the utmost immediacy, the constantly changing feelings of the two characters as they go through a personal journey of (self)-discovery.
“Puccini’s opera is one of the greatest musical comedies ever written: the brilliant story is supported by equally vivid music, including some of the most gorgeous and sweeping melodies ever written.”
For more information about the Calgary Opera, go here.
