EVENINGS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC - BAHRAIN - |
PROGRAMME FOR 8 MAY 2002 |
FIDELIO Opera by LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1826) |
Opera in two acts Libretto: Joseph Sonnleithner, Stephan von Breuning & Georg Friedrich Treitschke (after Jean Nicolas Bouilly's "Léonore, ou L'Amour conjugal") Premiere: 23 May 1814, Vienna |
CAST Leonore Florestan Jacquino Marzelline Rocco Don Pizarro Don Fernando First Prisoner Second Prisoner |
- Gabriela Beñacková - Josef Protschka - Neill Archer - Marie McLaughlin - Robert Lloyd - Monte Pederson - Hans Tschammer - Lynton Atkinson - Mark Beesly |
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden conducted by CHRISTOPH VON DOHNÁNYI |
SYNOPSIS The scene is set at a Spanish state prison near Seville in the 18th century ACT 1 Jacquino, prison turnkey, importunes Marzelline, the daughter of the gaoler Rocco, to finally marry him, but she has just fallen in love with her father's assistant, Fidelio, and dreams of future happiness with him. But Fidelio is really Leonore, the wife of the official Florestan, who has suddenly disappeared and whose friends believe to be dead. Leonore is convinced that her husband is being held prisoner as the political opponent and victim of Don Pizarro, the governor of the prison, whose crimes Florestan tried to expose. So Leonore has disguised herself as a man and takes a job at the prison. Rocco is delighted at Fidelio's diligence and already sees 'him' as his future son-in-law. But Leonore is dismayed to recognise Marzelline's affection for and Jacquino's jealousy toward 'him'. Meanwhile, Rocco already begins giving Marzelline and Fidelio advice: their future marital bliss requires more than just love. Leonore takes advantage of Rocco's trust, asking to be allowed to accompany him through the underground vaults of the prison. The gaoler agrees, but adds that there is one cell Fidelio will not be allowed to enter. Rocco's hints lead Leonore to believe that her husband is being held there as Pizarro's personal prisoner. She assures Rocco that she is courageous enough to enter even such a cell, which Rocco notes admiringly. The deployment of guards and officers signals the arrival of Don Pizarro. Rocco presents him with a letter warning him of imminent surprise investigations by the responsible minister, who suspects that the prison holds victims of political despotism. Pizarro places the roads leading to Seville under surveillance, arranges that a trumpet signal be blown at the approach of any wagon, and decides to eliminate Florestan. Since Rocco is unwilling to perform the deed, even for a large sum of money, Pizarro wants to commit the murder himself. Rocco is ordered to dig the grave. Leonore, who has observed everything, maintains hope in the face of despair - her love for Florestan gives her strength. At Fidelio's and Marzelline's request, Rocco has the upper prisoner cells opened. Hesitantly, then jubilant, the prisoners walk out into the open. The governor is about to take Rocco to task for this unauthorised act, but the gaoler fields the alibi that this is the King's name's day and the limited release customary. As the prisoners are taken back to their cells, Pizarro gives the final orders to dig the grave deep under the earth. . ACT 2 Florestan lies in chains in his cell. In his feverish dreams, he believes he sees Leonore as his rescuing angel. Exhausted, he collapses. Rocco takes Fidelio down into the vault and they begin digging the grave. Leonore is determined to rescue the prisoner - whoever he is - but when Florestan turns toward her, she is deeply shaken to recognise the face of her husband. Rocco and Fidelio give the prisoner some bread and wine, and he thanks them with gripping words. At a sign from Rocco, Pizarro appears, prepared to commit murder. Before he unsheathes his dagger, he reveals his own identity to Florestan. At the last moment, Leonore throws herself before Florestan and reveals that she is a woman. She parries Pizarro's dagger with a pistol, and from the tower, a trumpet blasts to signal the arrival of the minister, Don Fernando. Pizarro and Rocco hurry out of the vaults, and Leonore and Florestan fall into each other's arms. Don Fernando, visiting 'his brothers as a brother', wants to free every prisoner who is unjustly held. His friend Florestan, whom he has believed dead, is brought forward and greeted by the other prisoners with cries of 'hail!'. Pizarro's criminal plan is exposed, and the guards arrest him. The emphatic finale consists of thanks for God's justice and a hymn to Leonore. |
Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1991 Sung in German, with English sub-titles Director: Adolf Dresen |
Click the above button if the EOCM Home Page is not already open. |
