Beethoven Opera Fidelio

 Classical Music / Opera

Ludwig van Beethoven's Only Opera, in Two Acts

 

Fidelio, the only opera by Ludwig van Beethoven: opera plot synopsis, character description, and other Beethoven opera information.

Opera: Fidelio  

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Libretto: Joseph F. Sonnleithner based on a libretto by Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, later, revised by G.F. Treitschke. Also revised by Beethoven with premieres on March 29, 1806 and May 23, 1814. The work has a long and complicated history of composition. It went through three versions during Beethoven's career. However, there are four versions of the overture.  The composer spent more time writing the overture to Fidelio than Rossini and Donizetti spent on an entire opera, overture included. Beethoven wrote a total of four overtures to this, his only opera.

Language: German

First performance: Vienna, Theater an der Wien, November 20, 1805. Final version performed at the Theater am Karnthnertor, Vienna, May 23, 1814. 

Setting: 18^th century Spain, a fortress near Seville.  

Opera in Two Acts.

For all of Beethoven's many works including symphonies, concertos, chamber music and songs, the master only produced one opera, Fidelio.  

The plot of Fidelio is simple: love triumphs over injustice, in particular, marital love. By this time he was writing this, Beethoven was beset with hearing problems and eventually deafness.

Fidelio carries Beethoven's musical signature, a powerful orchestration, and therefore requires equally powerful vocalists to blend with the orchestra. Fidelio exhudes that glorious music displayed both in the exquisite aria opening, for example, by Florestan in Act 2 in his dark solitary dungeon, as well as the prisoners' chorus at the end of Act 1.   

Enjoy this video I found from YouTube. Leonard Bernstein conducts the Vienna State Opera, with Gundula Janowitz and Lucia Popp singing. Directed by Otto Schenk. Uploaded by Stanley Chang. Accessed 23 May 2021.  

The Characters / Roles in Fidelio

Florestan, A Spanish nobleman (tenor)

Leonore / Fidelio, His wife, in disguise as Fidelio  (soprano)

Don Pizarro, Governor  (bass baritone)

Rocco, The jailer (bass)

Marzelline, Rocco's daughter (soprano)

Jaquino, The porter (tenor)

Don Fernando, The Minister  (bass)

 

Plot Summary / Synopsis of Fidelio 

Act 1.

Scene 1. A room in Rocco's jail quarters

The jailer's daughter Marcelline, loves Fidelio and ignores the advances of the porter Jaquino. Fidelio is the poor young man hired by her father as an assistant. What Marcelline does not suspect is that Fidelio is really Leonora, a woman in disguise, who came out in search for her husband Florestan. Rocco the jailer is most impressed with Fidelio and plans to offer him his daughter Marcelline. Fidelio/Leonora persuades Rocco to let her help him with his work in prison. Meanwhile, Rocco tells them about a mysterious political prisoner whom he has been starving on the orders of overseer Don Pizarro. This mysterious prisoner is none other than Florestan.

Scene 2. The courtyard of a state prison

Pizarro has wrongly imprisoned Florestan and plots to murder him. He is worried when he learns that the minister Fernando is coming. When Rocco refuses to kill Florestan,  Pizarro decides to do it himself. Marcelline and Leonora persuade Rocco to let the prisoners go out for a walk. Pizarro arrives, furious at Rocco's lenient treatment of the prisoners.

Act 2.

Scene 1: Florestan's dark dungeon

Leonora still disguised as Fidelio, has come to find Florestan. When Rocco and Fidelio/Leonora enter Florestan's cell and dig out an old well for a makeshift grave, Leonora immediately recognizes Florestan. She and Rocco give him food and reveal that Pizarro is the overseer of the jail. When Pizarro tries to stab Florestan, Leonora reveals her identity and draws a pistol. Pizarro rushes out and husband and wife embrace.

Scene 2: On the ramparts before the castle

The prisoners and guards are jubilant and hail Don Fernando's arrival and their liberation. The minister is surprised and pleased to learn that Florestan is alive. Upon learning from Rocco what has happened, Fernando frees Florestan and has Pizzaro arrested. All hail Leonora's courage and devotion.

 

Resources:

Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual . Da Capo Press (1997)

Riding, Alan & Leslie Dunton-Downer, DK (2006)

 

© October, 2007. Updated May 23, 2021. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.