Key Facts
- ✓ Stage director Àlex Ollé has created a new production of Paul Dukas's opera 'Ariadna y Barbazul' for the Teatro Real.
- ✓ The production is based on the true story of Gilles de Rais, a 15th-century French marshal who was executed for the torture and murder of children.
- ✓ Gilles de Rais fought alongside Juana de Arco during the liberation of Orleans, adding historical complexity to his legacy.
- ✓ The character of Barbazul was originally fictionalized by Charles Perrault in his collection of fairy tales, based on the atrocities of de Rais.
- ✓ Ollé's adaptation transforms the fairy tale monster into a symbol of societal normalization of violence.
- ✓ The director states that the audience will ultimately decide how to judge the abusers portrayed in the performance.
A Monster Reborn
The first Barbazul in history did not have a blue beard, but rather blood on his hands. Stage director Àlex Ollé brings this chilling reality to the Teatro Real with a new production of Paul Dukas's opera Ariadna y Barbazul. His adaptation strips away the fairy tale veneer to reveal the historical wound of a society that normalizes violence.
Ollé's vision transforms the monstrous figure of Charles Perrault's Cuentos de antaño into a haunting reflection on historical atrocities. By grounding the narrative in the true story of a 15th-century French nobleman, the production challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about power, cruelty, and collective responsibility.
The Historical Shadow
The character of Barbazul finds its dark origin in the life of Gilles de Rais, a celebrated marshal who fought alongside Juana de Arco in the liberation of Orleans. Despite his military valor, de Rais met a brutal end, dying without honors on the gallows. He was convicted of horrific crimes: the rape, torture, and murder of dozens of children within the walls of his castle in Champtocé.
Two and a half centuries later, Charles Perrault adapted these atrocities into his collection of fairy tales. This literary transformation paved the way for Maurice Maeterlinck's drama, which ultimately inspired Paul Dukas's opera. Ollé's production now closes this historical loop, bringing the original horror back to the stage.
- Gilles de Rais: A decorated marshal and national hero
- Juana de Arco: His ally in the liberation of Orleans
- Champtocé Castle: The site of his horrific crimes
- Charles Perrault: The author who fictionalized the atrocities
"El público decidirá qué hacer con los maltratadores"
— Àlex Ollé, Stage Director
Director's Vision
Àlex Ollé's interpretation moves beyond simple horror to explore deeper societal themes. The production reframes the Barbazul character not merely as an individual monster, but as the invisible wound of communities that allow violence to persist. By connecting the fairy tale to its historical roots, Ollé creates a mirror for contemporary audiences.
The director's approach invites viewers to reflect on how society processes and condemns abusers. His work suggests that the true power of the narrative lies not in the stage itself, but in the collective consciousness of those who witness it.
“El público decidirá qué hacer con los maltratadores”
This statement from the director underscores the interactive nature of his theatrical vision. The audience becomes the final arbiter of justice, tasked with carrying the production's message beyond the theater walls.
Opera as Social Mirror
Dukas's Ariadna y Barbazul provides the perfect vessel for Ollé's exploration. The opera's existing structure allows for a deep dive into the psychological landscape of captivity and power dynamics. By recontextualizing the work, the production gains new relevance for modern audiences.
The choice to stage this adaptation at the prestigious Teatro Real signals a commitment to challenging artistic interpretations. It demonstrates how classical works can be revitalized to speak to current social concerns while honoring their musical and dramatic traditions.
- Paul Dukas's composition: The musical foundation
- Maeterlinck's drama: The literary source material
- Historical context: The Gilles de Rais connection
- Modern interpretation: Ollé's contemporary vision
The Audience's Verdict
Àlex Ollé's production of Ariadna y Barbazul represents more than a theatrical performance—it is a cultural intervention. By resurrecting the ghost of Gilles de Rais, the director forces a confrontation with history's darkest chapters and their echoes in the present.
The ultimate success of this adaptation rests not with the performers or the director, but with those who witness it. As Ollé suggests, the audience holds the power to decide what to do with the abusers portrayed on stage, making each performance a unique dialogue between art and society.
