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Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
Fidelio, Op.72
Overture.
Act 1.
Scene 1
A prison somewhere in Spain
Marzelline, the daughter of the jailer Rocco, dreams of marrying Fidelio, her father's new assistant. (Fidelio is the name Leonore has taken in order to disguise herself as a man and thereby get access to the prison where her husband, Florestan, has been incarcerated.) Rocco arrives, followed by Fidelio, weighed down with chains and supplies which Rocco takes to be a sign that Fidelio is trying to impress his daughter . Rocco encourages the romance, but cautions that a successful marriage requires money – "Hat man nicht auch Gold beineben" ("Life is nothing without money"). Fidelio tests Rocco’s trust by asking to accompany him to the dungeon where Florestan is being held.
Scene 2
The prison courtyard
To the sound of a march, the soldiers enter followed by the prison governor, Pizarro. He reads the dispatches and learns of an imminent visit from Don Fernando, the Minister of State, who is to question him about prisoners being held without cause. Having imprisoned Florestan for political reasons, Pizarro is forced to act and decides to have Florestan executed – "Ha! Welch' ein Augenblick!" ("Ah! The moment has arrived"). In order to have plenty of warning of the Minister's arrival, he posts a trumpeter on the ramparts and then offers Rocco money to kill the prisoner. Rocco refuses, but offers to dig the grave in a hidden corner of the prison walls and enlists Fidelio's help. At Fidelio's urging, Rocco allows all of the prisoners except Florestan to come out into the open air, but a furious Pizarro turns up and castigates Rocco who deflects his anger by pointing out that it is the King's birthday. The prisoners return to their cells – "Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht" ("Farewell, warm sunlight!").
Act 2.
Scene 1
A dungeon in the prison
An orchestral introduction depicts the dark and bare cell in which the heavily chained Florestan laments the loss of his happiness as the price of having spoken the truth. Rocco arrives with Fidelio to prepare the grave and their whispered duet - "Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben" ("Briskly done, freshly dug") – reaches Florestan's ears and he calls out for water. Fidelio recognises his voice and persuades Rocco to allow her to take some wine and bread to the prisoner. Pizarro arrives and prepares to stab Florestan, but when he draws his dagger, Fidelio stands in his way and reveals her true identity. As she draws a loaded pistol and aims it at Pizarro, the trumpet announces the arrival of the Minister and Rocco and Pizarro rush off leaving Florestan and Leonore to celebrate their reunion – "O namenlose Freude!" ("O joy inexpressible!").
Scene 2
The parade grounds of the prison
Don Fernando recognises Florestan and orders his freedom and Pizarro's arrest. Leonore is permitted to unlock her husband's chains, and the opera ends with a chorus in praise of her bravery – "Wer ein holdes Weib errungen" ("He, whom such a wife has cherished").
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