Fidelio Op. 72
Opera in 2 Acts
solos: SSTTTBarBarBB – choir: SATTBB – picc. 2. 2. 2. 2. dble bsn – 4. 2. 2. 0. – timp – str – stage music: trp
Description
Text by Joseph Sonnleithner und Georg Friedrich Treitschke, a German version of J. N. Bouillys “Léonore ou lamour conjugal
Place and time: A Spanish prison near Seville, end of the 18th century
Characters: Don Fernando (Bariton) – Don Pizarro (bariton) – Florestan (tenor) – Leonore (soprano) – Rocco (bass) – Marzelline (soprano) – Jaquino (tenor) – 1st prisoner (tenor) – 2nd prisoner (bass)
“The whole matter concerning the opera is the most troublesome in the world. There is a very great difference between letting oneself be guided by reflection and giving oneself up to free inspiration. In short, I assure you, dear Treitschke, the opera is going to win me a martyrs crown. Beethoven had already revised the opera several times by the time he wrote these words to Treitschke. Reworked partly at the urging of friends and partly of his own free will, the opera finally made its breakthrough in its final version. The triumphal first performance of the third version of the work was held at Viennas Kärtnertortheater on 23 May 1814 with Beethoven conducting. Treitschke, who was a stage director and dramaturgical adviser at the Court Opera, vividly reports that as “Beethoven conducted, his temperament often jolted him out of the beat; however, Kapellmeister Umlauf kept everything together wonderfully behind Beethovens back, through his eyes and his hands.
MM 2004502
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MM 2104519
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“Abscheulicher!” Recitative and Aria of Leonore
solo: S – 1.2.2.1 – 3.0.0.0 – str
MM 2104520
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“Gott, welch Dunkel hier” Aria of Florestan
solo: T – 2.2.2.2 – 4.0.0.0 – timp – str
MM 2104521
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“Ha, welch ein Augenblick” Aria of Pizarro
solo: Bar – 2.2.0.2 – 2.2.0.0 – timp – str
MM 2104522
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“Hat man nicht auch …” Aria of Rocco
solo: B – 2.2.2.2 – 2.0.0.0 – str
MM 2104524
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“Mir ist so wunderbar” Quartet
solos: SSTB – 2.0.2.2 – 2.0.0.0 – str
MM 2104525
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“O namenlose Freude” Duet Leonore, Florestan
solos: ST – 2.2.0.2 – 2.0.0.0 – str
MM 2104526
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“Oh welche Lust” Prisoners’ Chorus
choir: TTBB – 2.2.2.2. – 2.2.0.0. – str
MM 2104527
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“Oh, wär ich schon …” Aria of Marzelline
solo: S – 1.2.2.2 – 2.0.0.0 – str
Description
Description
Text by Joseph Sonnleithner und Georg Friedrich Treitschke, a German version of J. N. Bouillys “Léonore ou lamour conjugal
Place and time: A Spanish prison near Seville, end of the 18th century
Characters: Don Fernando (Bariton) – Don Pizarro (bariton) – Florestan (tenor) – Leonore (soprano) – Rocco (bass) – Marzelline (soprano) – Jaquino (tenor) – 1st prisoner (tenor) – 2nd prisoner (bass)
“The whole matter concerning the opera is the most troublesome in the world. There is a very great difference between letting oneself be guided by reflection and giving oneself up to free inspiration. In short, I assure you, dear Treitschke, the opera is going to win me a martyrs crown. Beethoven had already revised the opera several times by the time he wrote these words to Treitschke. Reworked partly at the urging of friends and partly of his own free will, the opera finally made its breakthrough in its final version. The triumphal first performance of the third version of the work was held at Viennas Kärtnertortheater on 23 May 1814 with Beethoven conducting. Treitschke, who was a stage director and dramaturgical adviser at the Court Opera, vividly reports that as “Beethoven conducted, his temperament often jolted him out of the beat; however, Kapellmeister Umlauf kept everything together wonderfully behind Beethovens back, through his eyes and his hands.
World premiere
World premiere of the third version: Vienna, May 23, 1814