Barbe-Bleue, Jacques Offenbach
| Title | Barbe-Bleue |
| English Title | Bluebeard |
| Composer | Jacques Offenbach |
| Librettists | Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy |
| Language | French, Dutch translation available |
| Genre | Opéra-bouffe; light opera |
| First performance | February 5, 1866, Paris, Théâtre des Variétés |
| Time of action | The past |
| Place of action |
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| Main parts |
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| Prominence of chorus | Lots of choral numbers |
| Orchestra | 2 flutes, 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, timpani/percussion, strings |
| Special demands | None |
| Full score and orchestral parts | Available |
| Level | Not particularly difficult. Tenor-part (Bluebeard) rather taxing |
| Length | Normal |
| Music | Typically Jacques Offenbach: parody of grand opera. Highlight: duet for mezzo and tenor in tomb-scene. Air of Boulotte may be transposed up, if desired |
| Story |
Parody of Charles Perrault’s well-known tale. In this opera Bluebeard’s wives do not die; his alchemist, Popolani, hides them in a cellar, from which they manage to escape, led by the peasant-girl Boulotte. General happy ending |
| Costumes | Peasant- and court-dress |
| Note | |
| Pictures | |
| Link | Wikipedia |