Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle

The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and its chief conductor Karina Canellakis continue their Bartók journey with the composer's only opera, "Bluebeard's Castle", in which mezzo-soprano Rinat Shaham (Judith) and bass-baritone Gabor Bretz (Bluebeard) take on the main roles. A man, a woman and a dark castle with seven mysterious doors – that is all it takes to create a psychological thriller full of suspense and intense emotions. Karina Canellakis and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra received a Grammy nomination for their recording of Bartók's "Concerto for Orchestra" and "4 Orchestral Pieces". For Canellakis, Bartók's recorded opera here is 'a tribute to life itself, to the brevity and fleeting beauty of life, to being human, to love and to death'. Karina Canellakis, who is internationally known for her emotionally charged performances, her technical mastery and her interpretive depth, has become one of the most sought-after conductors of her generation. Rinat Shaham and Gabor Bretz are in demand at the world's leading opera houses and have extensive experience performing Bartók's "Bluebeard's Castle" with various orchestras and conductors around the world.