Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Monash University Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) presents a unique FREE concert - bookings essential.

Bartók's opera Bluebeard’s Castle, starring Deborah Humble as Judith and Warwick Fyfe as Duke Bluebeard, conducted by Warwick Stengards

And the world premiere of Thomas Reiner’s Lacan: Ein Lehrstück, featuring Soprano Jessica Aszodi, Tristram Williams on flugelhorn and the Monash Academy Orchestra

Gothic, atmospheric opera, Bluebeard’s Castle will shroud Robert Blackwood Hall in a stunningly dark theatrical occasion when Monash University Academy of Performing Arts presents the rarely performed work.  Two of Australia’s most accomplished singers, Deborah Humble and Warwick Fyfe take to the stage for this free performance on Sunday 9 August.     

Hungarian composer Béla Bartók’s only opera, Bluebeard’s Castle occupies a unique place in twentieth century music theatre.  Unlike most operatic experiences, it is just one act and features only two singing characters. Although dark-hued it has astonishing theatrical power with Bartók’s extraordinary command of atmosphere and orchestration.   Music drives the narrative rather than sets or costumes and illustrating the dramatic composition will be the full Monash Academy Orchestra under the direction of conductor, Warwick Stengards.   Stengards has recently returned to Australia having spent over a decade working in Germany’s operatic environment.    

A metaphor for the impossibility of complete love between a man and a woman, Bluebeard’s Castle explores the relationship between Judith and Bluebeard, the gradual exposure of his possessions, domains and, most importantly, psyche. The wealthy but ageing aristocrat Bluebeard is locally the subject of suspicion and fear.  Aware that he has been married several times, the local people wonder why his wives have all disappeared without trace.  Rumours abound.  Horrible rumours—of torture and death. His new, younger wife Judith moves into the castle and experiences a series of startling revelations…or are they simply imaginings? 

Preluding Bluebeard’s Castle, is the world premiere performance of the first movement of Lacan: Ein Lehrstück from Thomas Reiner, Monash University’s School of Music, Head of Music Composition, featuring Soprano Jessica Aszodi, Tristram Williams on flugelhorn and the Monash Academy Orchestra.

Thomas Reiner was granted a six-month sabbatical to compose the work based on the writings of French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan.  The Mezzo-Soprano and Flugelhorn parts of the work were inspired by, and written for, Jessica Aszodi and Tristram Williams with whom Reiner had worked with before.

Lacan: Ein Lehrstück is the perfect pairing to Bluebeard’s Castle with both works on the program a musical insight into psychological concepts.

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Monash Academy Orchestra
• Performer Jessica Aszodi
• Performer Tristram Williams
• Conductor Warwick Stengards