Fidelio
Opera in two acts by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Libretto by Joseph Ferdinand Sonnleithner and Georg Friedrich Treitschke
In German with German and English surtitles. Duration 1 H. 50 Min. Without intermission. Introduction 45 min before the performance.
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Fidelio
Synopsis
Fidelio
Act One
Jailer Rocco is in charge of the political prisons of despotic governor Don Pizarro. Rocco’s daughter Marzelline has given young guard Jacquino the cold shoulder ever since a new assistant, Fidelio, arrived. Rocco would also be pleased to have the new boy as his son-in-law. Nobody has the slightest idea that beneath his uniform, the capable and industrious Fidelio is actually a woman, Leonore, who has taken on the role and all the hardships it entails to find and free her husband Florestan, whom Pizarro has thrown into prison. When he learns that an inspection of all the state’s prisons has been announced by minister Don Fernando, Pizarro decides to remove Florestan once and for all. He orders Rocco to dig a grave for Florestan in the latter’s dungeon. Leonore persuades Rocco to take her into the secret dungeon, where she suspects her husband is being held. The other prisoners are let out briefly into the prison yard. Their hope of rescue, justice and freedom is the only light in their gloomy existence.
Act Two
Florestan, broken by his imprisonment, sees a fevered vision of his wife Leonore appearing as an angel and leading him to freedom. Unnoticed by Florestan, Rocco and Fidelio make all the preparations to murder him, an act that Pizarro will personally come to commit. Leonore is horrified to find that the man in chains is indeed her husband. At a predetermined signal, Pizarro enters the dungeon to kill his enemy Florestan. But at the last moment, Fidelio leaps between them, reveals himself to be Leonore and prevents the murder. A trumpet sound heralds salvation in the form of minister Don Fernando’s arrival. Leonore and Florestan fall into each other’s arms. The newly-freed prisoners and their wives praise the day that has brought them their freedom. Don Fernando recognises Florestan as an old friend he had given up for dead, and has Pizarro led away for punishment. Leonore is allowed to take off Florestan’s chains herself, and everyone rejoices at the heroism she has shown.