Dukas had been impressed by Maeterlinck's play when it was first published in 1899. Maeterlinck had initially reserved the rights to use Ariane as a libretto for Edvard Grieg. When Grieg abandoned his plans to compose the opera, Maeterlinck offered it to Dukas instead. Dukas worked on the score between 1899 and 1906.
| Original Name | Ariane et Barbe-bleue |
| Librettist | Maurice Maeterlinck (after La Barbe bleue by Charles Perrault) |
| Date of composition | 1906 (1899-1906) |
| Premiered | 1907, May 10th (Opéra Comique) in Paris, France |
| Type | Opera |
| Instruments |
Voice (Soprano)
- Ariane
Voice (Contralto) - La nourrice (Nurse) Voice (Bass) - Barbe-bleue (Bluebeard) Voice (Contralto) - Sélysette, one of Bluebeard's wives Voice (Soprano) - Ygraine, one of Bluebeard's wives Voice (Soprano) - Mélisande, one of Bluebeard's wives Voice (Soprano) - Bellangère, one of Bluebeard's wives Mime - Alladine, one of Bluebeard's wives Voice (Bass) - An Old Peasant Voice (Tenor) - 2nd Peasant Voice (Bass) - 3rd Peasant Chorus/Choir - Peasants, Crowd Orchestra |
| Autotranslations beta |
Paul Dukas: Ariadne and Bluebeard Paul Dukas: Ariadne and Bluebeard Paul Dukas: Ariadne and Bluebeard |