This highly acclaimed film version of Béla Bartók's searing psychological opera, performed by Robert Lloyd and Elizabeth Laurence, won the 1989 Prix Italia Music Prize. Bartók's short opera, one of the composer's most impressive early works, tells the macabre legend of Duke Bluebeard, who brings his young wife Judith to live in his remote castle. The dramatic intensity increases as sinister secrets are gradually unveiled, bringing the opera to its haunting conclusion.

Libretto: Béla Balázs

Duke Bluebeard: Robert Lloyd
Judith: Elizabeth Laurence

The London Philharmonic
Conductor: Adam Fischer

Costume Designer: Anna Buruma
Designer: Bruce Macadie
Producer: Dennis Marks
Video Director: Leslie Megahey

Duke Bluebeard has brought his wife, Judith, to live with him in his castle. She has left her parents and her home to follow the enigmatic Duke and to share her life with him.

Judith sees seven locked doors, and begs Bluebeard to let her open them. When she tugs at the lock on the first door, she hears a long sigh. Bluebeard tells her that she may open the doors, as long as she does not ask him any questions. He gives her the key, and she enters his torture chamber. The walls are dripping with blood, and she sees a crimson light.

Judith is determined to open all the doors and let light flood the castle. Bluebeard gives Judith the key to the second door. This is the Armoury; Judith sees blood on the weapons. The third door gives way to a golden light. It is the Treasury, filled with coins, diamonds, pearls, and gold. Judith admires Bluebeard s apparent wealth, but she sees blood on the jewels. The fourth door hides Bluebeard's beautiful garden. Once again, there are signs of blood the stems of the flowers are bleeding and the soil is stained with blood. The fifth door opens, and Judith stands in awe of the Duke's kingdom; meadows, forests, mountains and rivers. But a cloud passing overhead casts a crimson shadow over the land.

Bluebeard begs Judith to love him, and to pry no further, but she will not rest until all the doors are opened. She opens the sixth door, and reveals a pale, still lake, which Bluebeard tells her is filled with tears. He swears that the seventh and last door must remain shut. Judith asks him if he has loved anyone before her, but he evades her questions. She demands that whatever lies concealed behind the final door be revealed, saying that she knows the rumours are true, that Bluebeard has murdered his former wives and that this is where they are kept.

Bluebeard finally relents and gives her the key. He shows her his former wives. The first one he met in the red dawn, the second in the golden noon, the third in the pale evening. His fourth wife, Judith, he met on a starlit, black night. He places a cloak on Judith's shoulders, necklaces and pearls around her neck, and a crown on her head. She takes her place next to Bluebeard's other wives. Now it will always be night in Duke Bluebeard's castle.