Opening the doors of memory: a haunting Bluebeard’s Castle in Auckland

Lester Lynch (Bluebeard)

Susan Bullock (Judith) and Lester Lynch (Bluebeard)

Susan Bullock (Judith)

By Simon Holden, 16 March 2026

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“nothing short of devastating”

Reviewed at Auckland Town Hall: Great Hall, Auckland on 13 March 2026

Bartók, Duke Bluebeard's Castle

New Zealand Opera

Brad Cohen, Conductor

Daisy Evans, Director

Adrian Linford, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Jake Wiltshire, Lighting Designer

Auckland Philharmonia

Lester Lynch, Bluebeard

Susan Bullock, Judith

Into the labyrinth: opera and community in The Monster in the Maze

Simon Holden, 19th September

Director Anapela Polata’ivao handles her mixed forces of amateurs and professionals with seamless assurance, the crowds’ movements across the stage showing both clarity and intent.

****1

Stunning direction elevates New Zealand Opera's La bohème

Simon Holden, 29th May

New Zealand Opera's new production impresses with its stunning set design and art direction, and its restrained emotional tone.

***11

Fine singing but messy staging: Le Comte Ory at New Zealand Opera

Simon Holden, 30th May

Director Simon Phillips takes the opportunity to reshape the setting of Rossini's comic opera to modern-day New Zealand.

***11

Blissful Mansfield Park in Auckland

Simon Holden, 21st April

Dove’s masterful adaptation, combined with an ebullient and characterful rendition by New Zealand Opera, make for a very effective and at times, very moving, afternoon at the opera.

*****

Gluck reimagined: (m)Orpheus in Auckland

Simon Holden, 6th September

Gareth Farr re-orchestrates Gluck in Neil Ieremia's imaginative reinterpretation of the Orpheus myth for New Zealand Opera.

****1

A masterful Così fan tutte in Auckland

Simon Holden, 31st May

Lindy Hume directs a refreshingly uncomplicated new staging for New Zealand Opera, supported by fine musical performances.

****1

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Simon Holden

Simon is an operaphile based in Auckland, New Zealand. He wrote his dissertation on Japanese popular music. With a background in piano and classical music retail, he spends his time attending as much opera or vocal concert as he can and blogs at irishenceaway.blogspot.com.

Opening the doors of memory: a haunting Bluebeard’s Castle at New Zealand Opera