In Dido and Aeneas, Aeneas falls in love with Dido, the widowed queen of Cathargo, on his return journey from the Trojan War. She hesitantly returns his affection, suspecting that Aeneas will soon leave her again. In fact, the latter, blinded by a spell, breaks camp in Kathargo, contrary to his original intention. Dido dies of a broken heart. - In Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Judith follows her husband Bluebeard to his castle. There, the atmosphere is dark and sinister: seven doors hold dark secrets. Little by little, Judith manages to open all the doors. Behind the seventh and last one, she finally discovers her three murdered predecessors. Together with Bluebeard, Judith steps through this door, and the castle sinks into darkness once again.
