Felsenstein’s Ritter Blaubart (Duke Bluebeard) is accompanied by the music of French composer Jacques Offenbach which was originally performed to great critical acclaim in Paris in 1866. Opera reviewer Oscar Bie delightfully remarked: “How the music flourishes in soil like this. How the tragedy laughs, and how seriously the comedy takes itself. […] This is not opera, nor is it comedy, and only on occasions is it parody. No, this is something much more sublime altogether: it is that wonderfully shimmering realm, full of truth about life, which borders grand fates and all-conquering humour.”

Felsenstein’s adaptation of this diversified opera affords countless opportunities for audiences to make associations, moments in which they are torn between laughter and abomination, but which all the while reveals an aptitude of theatrical magic one could only admire. The constant switching between comedy and tragedy is a fine balancing act that demands enormous self-discipline and ability from the performers. Felsenstein himself spoke of the “entirely new style of interpretation” the work required. This visionary theatre director, who played a hugely important role in the revival of opera as a theatrical art form, was exactly what this demanding opera needed.

• Brand-new remastering in 4k
• The legacy of legendary stage director Walter Felsenstein is available with new audio-visual material for the first time
• Newly remastered and digitalised from the original 35mm film in 2020
• A cultural-historical highlight of the opera history of the 1970s
• A milestone for the preservation of this important German film heritage

Cast:
- Sire de Barbe-Bleue: Hanns Nocker
- Boulotte: Anny Schlemm
- King Bobèche: Werner Enders
- Queen Clémentine: Ruth Schob-Lipka
- Princess Hermia (Fleurette): Ingrid Czerny
- Prince Saphir (Daphnis): Manfred Hopp
- Popolani: Rudolf Asmus
- Count Oscar: Helmut Polze
- Alvarez Hans-Otto Rogge

Stage director: Walter Felsenstein
Set design: Paul Lehmann

Sound format: PCM Stereo
Picture format: 16:9
Running time: 139 mins
Language: DE
Subtitles: DE, EN, FR, ES
Region Code: 0 (worldwide)