Tickets are selling fast for Cambridge Philharmonic’s performance of ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’, showing at West Road Concert Hall later this month.

The one-act opera, a defining piece of the twentieth-century, tells the story of newlyweds Bluebeard and Judith, and a dark secret hidden behind the doors of his castle.

Keen to ignore rumours about her husband’s past, Judith tries to brighten up her new home by throwing open seven doors inside it, only to find Bluebeard’s last three wives locked away; a group she must now join.

Almost 100 years old, the opera was originally written in Hungarian, and soloists Milan Siljanov and Jade Moffat will take on the roles this May 21.

Tim Redmond, conductor, said: “It’s a remarkable prospect. Milan is at an amazing point of his career, right on the cusp of international stardom. I have no doubt he’ll take this role all around the world.

“Jade has a fabulous voice and has just returned from her native Australia where she recently made her debut at the Brisbane Festival. We are so privileged at the Cambridge Philharmonic to be working with such talent at this time in their lives.

“It will be an astonishing performance and I can’t wait to see the audience reaction – it will definitely send shivers down a lot of spines.”

In fact, two more operas will be performed on the night; ‘Spring’ by Russian composer, Rachmaninov, and ‘Žárlivost’, or ‘Jealousy’, by Czech composer Janá?ek.

Although rarely performed, the stories also explore the destructive powers of love, complex relationships, and are accompanied by powerful, emotionally-charged music.

Tim Redmond, conductor, said: “We’re tremendously excited about ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’ and the accompanying pieces by Rachmaninov and Janá?ek; we love putting on these big, theatrical performances, and taking the audience on such a thrilling musical ride.”

Seats are £12, £16, £20 and £25, with student and under-18s tickets costing £10 on the door.

To book, go to cam-phil.org.uk or cambridgelivetrust.co.uk for specific seating.