Act I. Hall in _Blue-Beard's_ castle. _Ariane_, sixth wife of

_Blue-Beard_, is warned by voices of the crowd outside that _Blue-Beard_ has already murdered five wives. _Ariane_ has seven keys--six of silver and one of gold. When _Ariane_, intent only on opening the forbidden chamber, throws down the six silver keys, her _Nurse_ picks them up. With one she unlocks the first door. Instantly amethysts set in diadems, bracelets, rings, girdles, fall down in a shower on _Ariane_. And so, to her joy, as door after door swings open, she is showered with sapphires, pearls, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Now _Ariane_ opens, with the golden key, the seventh door. Darkness, out of which come the voices of the five lost wives. Here _Ariane_ is surprised by _Blue-Beard_, who lays hold of her. The crowd, admitted by the _Nurse_, rush in to kill _Blue-Beard_, but are told by _Ariane_ that he has not harmed her.