On April 27 and 28, the New World Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas perform Béla Bartók’sBluebeard‘s Castle in an innovative production that brings its mysterious world to life. The one-act opera, with libretto by Béla Balázs, will feature bass Eric Halfvarson (Bluebeard) and mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung (Judith).

The narrative of Bartók’s opera is based on the French fairy tale Bluebeard by Charles Perrault. The production features specially created projections that will be displayed on one of the New World Center’s large, curved acoustical “sails” on all sides of the hall, surrounding the audience with sound and video. Bluebeard’s Castle will be presented alongside Bartók’s final European work, his String Quartet No. 6. Originally commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Konzerthaus Dortmund, and Gulbenkian Foundation, this production will next be performed by the San Francisco Symphony in June 2012.