| Fidelio |
| Beethoven wrote just one opera, but for this opera he wrote at least five overtures, of which only four remain. (Full Text and MIDI samples) |
| Both Beethoven, Handel and Rossini had written "rescue" operas in the 2005-06 Season- works about one lover rescuing another from misfortune. And, all of theses operas have the same twist in the usual, rescue plot: the roles are reversed. In Beethoven's Fidelio, Handel's Rodelinda and Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri , it's the man who's in trouble and the woman who does the rescuing. |
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| The subject of the opera was derived from Bouilly�s "Leonore; or, Conjugal Love." It had already been used for a French opera comique, as well as for an opera, to Italian works, by Paer, a composer who accompanied Napoleon to Warsaw and Posen, and in 1807 was formally installed as his maitre de chapelle. Indeed, it was a performance of Paer�s work which suggested "Fidelio" to Beethoven, who had a German translation prepared. (Source) |
| Actually - Beethoven wrote two operas, only "Fidelio" is worth mentioning. This opera was first performed on November 20, 1805 in Theater an der Wien and was an ordered work by this theatre. "Leonore" fell into oblivion. (Source) |
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| Fidelio is based on a story by the French writer Bouilly. Meaning �Conjugal love,� it is a tale of redemption and love between a husband and wife. Fidelio is based on a story concerning a rescue from injustice in the nick of time, such as might have happened to many people during the upheaval of the French Revolution. The libretto was taken from Jean-Nicolas Bouilly's play Leonore, ou L'amour conjugal. This work is widely thought to have been itself based on a real event in which the young Bouilly played a part. |
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| Roles Florestan, a prisoner tenor Leonore, his wife soprano Rocco, gaoler bass Marzelline, his daughter soprano Jaquino, assistant to Rocco tenor Don Pizarro, governor of the prison bass-baritone Don Fernando, King's minister bass Two prisoners Tenor and Bass Soldiers, prisoners, townspeople |