Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet (Ariane); José van Dam (Barbe-Bleue); Patricia Bardon (Nurse); Gemma Coma-Alabert (Sélysette); Beatriz Jiménez (Ygraine); Elena Copons (Mélisande);

Dukas's opera Ariane et Barbe-bleue, based on Maeterlinck's symbolist version of the classic tale, sees free spirit Ariane become the sixth wife of the infamous Barbe-bleue, who gives his new bride seven keys to seven doors, but prohibits the use of the last. Ariane discovers an array of glittering jewels behind the first six doors, but a terrifying reality awaits her as she unlocks the seventh.

José van Dam is cast as the villainous Barbe-bleue, while taking on the immensely demanding role of Ariane - who does not leave the stage throughout the entire opera - is American soprano Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet.

"Also of paramount importance for a successful performance is the orchestral part. And also in this case, the current production featured the right person in the right place, by entrusting the orchestra of the Liceu, which had never played this opera, to conductor Stéphane Denève." (The Opera Critic)