Barbe-bleue

The libretto for Jacques Offenbach's opéra bouffe Barbe-bleue was written by the famous French duo Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. They adapted the classic Perrault fairy tale into a satirical and comedic theatrical piece. This writing team was also famous for later writing the libretto for Bizet's Carmen.

The role of Boulotte, the protagonist, was originally performed by the legendary soprano Hortense Schneider. The premiere took place in 1866 at the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. Schneider was a favorite of Offenbach and created leading roles in several of his most famous works.

Unlike the dark original fairy tale, Offenbach's 1866 version satirizes the story of Bluebeard, portraying him as a ridiculous nobleman whose wives do not actually die. The peasant girl Boulotte becomes his sixth wife and uncovers the conspiracy. The wives are secretly kept alive in a hidden vault by Bluebeard's steward.

Offenbach's Barbe-bleue is a three-act opéra bouffe that typically runs for about two hours. Despite being written in the mid-19th century, it remains an enduring example of French comic operetta. It contains famous musical numbers like the Couplets de l'oeil sung by the character Boulotte.