Home ⇒ 📌Brief contents ⇒ Summary Ludwig van Beethoven. Fidelio

Summary Ludwig van Beethoven. Fidelio


FIDELIO

Opera in two acts

Libretto by I. Sonnleitner and G. Treichke1

Characters:

Florestan, the prisoner

Leonora, his wife, hiding under the name Fidelio

Don Fernando, Minister

Don Pizarro, the prison governor

Rocco, the jailer

Marcelina, his daughter

Zhakino, the gatekeeper

Tenor

Soprano

Baritone

Baritone

Bass

Soprano

Tenor

Prisoners, officers, guards, people.

The action takes place in Spain.

Time: XVII century.

PLOT

The young prison gatekeeper Zhakino is upset and annoyed: the daughter of the jailer Marcelin has ceased to respond to his feelings since the young servant Fidelio appeared in her father’s house. Marcelina and does not suspect that under the name of

Fidelio is hidden dressed in a man’s dress Leonora, who penetrated the fortress, to release her imprisoned husband, Florestan. But the prison governor Pisarro is fierce and cruel, the prisoners are strictly guarded by his orders, and although Leonora has long been at the service of the prison guard Rocco, she has still not been able to find out anything. Leonora is also confused by the love of Marcelina, who is sure that a modest young man answers her with love. The good-natured jailer does not want to discourage the daughter’s happiness – let Fidelio become his son-in-law and assistant. True, the jailer’s service is hard – many horrors and human sufferings lurk behind the walls of the fortress. And now one of the prisoners is dying in the dungeon from torture and hunger. Sensing that it was Florestan, Leonora asked Rocco to show her the sufferer.

Accompanied by the soldiers, Pizarro appears in the courtyard. From the letter he received, he learned that his lawlessness became known in Seville, and soon the Minister Don Fernando will arrive in the fortress. Pizarro hastens to deal with

the hated Florestan. Promising Rocco a generous reward, Pizarro orders him to execute a prisoner. But the jailer refuses. Then Pizarro decides to commit murder himself. Rocco gets an order to dig a grave into the dungeon. Leonora, who heard this conversation, is convinced that her husband is in prison. She is ready for any feat to save her beloved husband. At her request, Rocco releases a prisoner for a walk. Inaudible steps the exhausted people come to the prison yard, rejoicing in the pure spring air, the sunshine. But their joy is short-the enraged Pizarro orders them to be locked again. He urges Rocco to prepare a grave.

Stone vaults of a dank, gloomy dungeon, where the haggard, chained Florestan is languishing. The fighter for justice, once exposing the crimes of Pizarro, he was now the victim of his revenge. Despite the suffering and the proximity of death, Florestan is firm and calm: he honestly fulfilled his duty. The image of Leonora appears in the prisoner’s mind, joyful visions of freedom and happiness pass. Exhausted, he falls into oblivion. Rocco and Leonora are noiseless. With the scant light of the lantern, the alarmed woman can not see the prisoner’s face, and only when Florestan wakes up does she recognize her beloved husband in a voice. In the dungeon descends Pizarro. With a naked dagger, he rushes to Florestan, but Leonora shields him with her body. The furious chief of the prison is ready to kill both, but suddenly the sounds of the trumpet come to the dungeon, announcing the arrival of the minister. Pizarro is stunned – revenge failed, he faces a severe punishment. The square in front of the fortress. The people praise the justice of the minister, who freed the innocent prisoners. Rocco leads Florestan and Leonora. In the prisoner chained in the chain, Don Fernando recognizes his friend. Leonora removes from Florestan fetters. Everyone glorifies her faithfulness and dedication.

MUSIC

“Fidelio” is a heroic opera, one of the greatest creations of the world musical theater. Her music is distinguished by a lofty, pathetic attitude, intense drama. A significant role is played in it by oratorial scenes, alternating with everyday, often comedically colored.

Along with the unfolded musical episodes – arias, ensembles, developed recitatives, the opera has a so-called melodrama (speech accompanied by music) and conversational dialogues connecting “Fidelio” with the traditions of the singspiel.

The laconic overture has an appeal-cheerful character.

The first act consists of two pictures. In the first – calm, serene – is depicted the simple-hearted, unpretentious world of modest, ordinary people. The duet of Marcelina and Jacquinot is elegant and playful. In the aria of Marcelina “It is impossible to say who the ideal” reveals the dreams of a girl in love, the sincerity of her simple and naive feeling. The peak of the musical development of the picture is embodied in the quartet (Marcelin, Leonora, Jacquino, Rocco), each member of which, as if numb in anticipation of important events, repeats one musical phrase, putting in it, however, its meaning (the form of the canon).

The intensely dramatic second picture contrasts sharply with the first. In the aria of Pizarro “Yes, the time has come,” the angular outlines of the melody, stormy, frenzied accompaniment convey frenzy and fury. The duo of Rocco and Pizarro is full of reserved, hidden drama. In Leonia’s aria, “O Fierce Beast” alternate passionate wrath, bright hope and courageous determination. A chorus of prisoners was noted with deep expressiveness; light and transparent orchestral accompaniment, the secret sounds of voices are imbued with a timid sense of joy.

The second act also consists of two pictures. The sufferings and complaints of Florestan sound in the orchestral entry of his aria, “God, what a gloom”; The melody, full of restrained, quiet sadness, is then replaced by an enthusiastic ecstatic impulse. The duo of Leonora and Rocco are permeated with a sense of oppressive anxiety; against the background of a monotonous movement, which conveys the rhythm of the work of gravediggers, Leonona’s emotionally pathetic cries are heard. The culmination of the action is the quartet (Leonora, Florestan, Pizarro and Rocco), the rapid development of which is interrupted by violent explosions of drama. Unrestrained glee is heard in the duo of Leonora and Florestan.

The second picture is a detailed scene of the oratorio warehouse. The powerful jubilant sound of the choir, the chased march-like rhythm, the festive fanfares convey the universal joy, the victory of light and justice.

1 In the production of the Bolshoi Theater of the USSR, the opera comes with significant changes in the text introduced by N. Biryukov.


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Related posts:

  1. Summary Ludwig van Beethoven LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN 1770-1827 The work of the brilliant German composer Beethoven is the greatest treasure of world culture, an epoch in the history of music. It had a huge impact on the development of 19th century art. In the formation of the ideology of the Beethoven-artist, the decisive role was played by the ideas […]...

  2. Biography of Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven is a great German composer, pianist and conductor, representative of the musical direction “Viennese Classicism”. Early years Beethoven was born supposedly on December 16, 1770 in the city of Bonn in a musical family. Since childhood, he began to teach the game on the organ, harpsichord, violin, flute. For the first time […]...

  3. Summary “Byron’s Prisoner of Hebrews” The plot unfolds near the Lake Geneva in the Chillon Castle, which served as a prison. The story is conducted on behalf of the prisoner, the eldest of six brothers. Five of his close relatives have already died, two of whom could not stand the conclusion in the underground chamber, which was in the castle […]...

  4. Summary Bedřich Smetana. Dalibor DALIBOR Opera in three acts (six scenes) Libretto by J. Wenzig Characters: Vladislav, King of the Czech Republic Dalibor Budivoj, the chief of the guard Judge Benesh, the jailer Vitek, squire of Dalibor Milada, the sister of the murdered burgrave Yitka, a village girl, Dalibor’s pupil Bass Tenor Baritone Bass Bass Tenor Mezzo soprano Soprano […]...

  5. Summary “Prisoner” The story of Byron’s poem was based on the story of the Swiss republican, writer and philosopher François Bonnivar. For his statements against the regime of the Duke Charles III of Savoy, he was imprisoned in the Chillon Castle and stayed there for six years, from 1530 to 1536. Four years he spent in a […]...

  6. What is opera Opera in translation from Italian means composition. Opera is a kind of musical-dramatic work based on a harmonious combination of music, stage action and words. Opera differs from other types of dramatic theater in that music is the main bearer of action, its driving force. For the first time the opera originated in Italy, in […]...

  7. Summary of Giuseppe Verdi. Troubadour TROUBADOUR Opera in four acts (eight scenes) Libretto by S. Cammarano Characters: Graf di Luna Leonora, the Duchess Azucena, Gypsy Manrico, troubadour Ferrando, the approximate graph Ines, the confidante of Leonora Ruiz, a friend of Manrico The Old Gypsy Messenger Baritone Soprano Mezzo soprano Tenor Bass Soprano Tenor Bass Tenor Leonora’s friends, approximate count, monks, […]...

  8. Summary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The wedding of Figaro WEDDING FIGARO Comic opera in four acts Libretto by L. da Ponte Characters: Count Almaviva Countess Rosina, his wife Figaro, servant of the Count Susanna, the Countess’s maid Marcelina, housekeeper Cherubino, page Bartolo, doctor Basilio, the teacher of music Don Courtsio, judge Antonio, the gardener Barbara, his daughter Baritone Soprano Baritone or high bass Soprano […]...

  9. Summary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Abduction from the Seraglio THE ABDUCTION OF THE SERAL Opera in three acts Libretto by G. Stefani Characters: Constanta Blondhen Belmont Pedrillo Osmin Selim Pasha Soprano Soprano Tenor Tenor Bass Speaking role Janissaries, concubines, slaves. Location: Turkey. HISTORY OF CREATION Five years before the work on “Abduction from the Seraglio” Mozart dreamed of a national Austrian musical theater that […]...

  10. Summary Giacomo Meyerbeer JACOMO MEYEREBER 1791-1864 Meyerbeer entered the history of musical culture as the largest representative of the romantic musical theater of France. He approved the type of five-act “big opera”, calculated for the splendor of the production and spectacular spectacularity. At the heart of the musical drama of Meyerbeer is the principle of impressive contrasts, the […]...

  11. Summary Ivan Ivanovich Dzerzhinsky IVAN IVANOVICH DZERZHINSKY The genus. in 1909 The opera genre is the main sphere of Dzerzhinsky’s creative interests. The heroics of the revolutionary and people’s liberation struggle, the pathos of labor, the images of contemporaries-these are the themes of his work. The wide use of revolutionary and Soviet songs, the simplicity and accessibility of the […]...

  12. Summary Nazib Gayazovich Zhiganov Nazib Gayazovich Zhiganov The genus. in 1911 Zhiganov is a talented Soviet composer, the largest representative of the Tatar musical culture. His work is characterized by a close connection with the poetic and musical folklore of the Tatar people, the ideas of modernity, a deep interest in the spiritual order, the moral ideals of the […]...

  13. Karl Bald, Ludwig German, Lothar. Treaty of Verdun Although Charlemagne seems to have done everything to strengthen his state, it still proved to be unviable. He was weakened by rebellious feudal lords, whom the emperor had to force to submit to obedience. And most importantly, the tribes and peoples who inhabited the empire lived on their own and did not want to obey […]...

  14. Summary Oles Semenovich Chishko Oles Semenovich Chishko The genus. in 1895 Chishko is a prominent Soviet composer who has worked extensively and successfully in various fields of musical art. Being a professional singer, Chishko paid much attention to vocal genres – opera, romance, song. His work is distinguished by the melodiousness, simplicity and accessibility of expression. From 1948 to […]...

  15. Summary Stanislav Moniuszko Stanislav Moniuszko 1819-1872 Moniuszko – the founder of Polish opera classics – left a vast legacy. He wrote about three hundred songs, cantatas, works for symphonic orchestra, piano and other compositions. Works of Moniuszko are characterized by simplicity and cordiality, an abundance of beautiful, full expressiveness and poetic melodies. In his music, permeated with elements […]...

  16. Summary Karl Maria Weber. Free Shooter FREEPY ARROW1 Opera in three acts Libretto by F. Kind Characters: Ottokar, the Bohemian prince Kuno, Forester Agatha, his daughter Anhen, a friend of Agatha Baritone Bass Soprano Soprano Bass Tenor Tenor Bass Without singing Caspar Max } Hunters Kilian, rich peasant Hermit Samiel, the “black hunter” Peasants, hunters, girls, musicians. The action takes place […]...

  17. Summary of Giacomo Puccini. Yearning YEARNING A musical drama in three acts Libretto by L. Illik and D. Giacosa Characters: Floria Tosca, the famous singer Mario Cavaradossi, artist Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police Cesare Angelotti Sacristan Spoletta, a police agent Scaryone, gendarme Jailer Shepherd Soprano Tenor Baritone Bass Baritone Tenor Bass Bass Alto Cardinal, city prosecutor, hangman, scribe, officer, sergeant, […]...

  18. Summary Daniil Grigoryevich Frenkel DANIIL GRIGORIEVICH FRENKEL The genus. in 1906 Frenkel is the author of a large number of musical, theatrical, symphonic and chamber works. The main interests of the composer lie in the field of opera. The influence of the traditions of the Russian opera classics of the 19th century, especially Tchaikovsky, and in part Mussorgsky, affected […]...

  19. Summary of the Beggar’s Opera John Gay Opera of the Beggar In the introduction, the author – Beggar – says that if poverty is a patent for poetry, then no one doubts that he is a poet. He is in the company of beggars and participates in the performances that this troupe gives weekly in one of the poorest quarters […]...

  20. Summary Nazib Gayazovich Zhiganov. Musa Jalil MUSA JALIL Opera poem in seven scenes Libretto by A. S. Faizy Characters: Musa Jalil, the poet The poet’s wife Zhuravlyov, colonel, commander of the detachment Andre, a Belgian, a prisoner of war Kazanfarov, Lieutenant Hayat, Tatar girl, hijacked To fascist Germany Mad woman with a child, Belarus Kovalev, the foreman Dramatic tenor Lyric-dramatic soprano […]...

  21. “The Beggar’s Opera” Gaea in brief summary In the introduction, the author – Beggar – says that if poverty is a patent for poetry, then no one doubts that he is a poet. He is in the company of beggars and participates in the performances that this troupe gives weekly in one of the poorest quarters in London – St. Giles. The […]...

  22. Summary Nikolay Vitalievich Lysenko NIKOLAI VITALEVICH LYSENKO 1842-1912 The founder of the Ukrainian national composer school, Lysenko was the largest connoisseur of folk songs and a musical and public figure, choral conductor and pianist. His musical heritage includes operas, cantatas, romances, piano pieces and other instruments. The outstanding talent of the composer was most fully manifested in the field […]...

  23. Summary Julius Sergeevich Meitus JULIA SERGEYEVIC MAITUS The genus. in 1903 The creative activity of Meitus, one of the prominent composers of Soviet Ukraine, began in the 1930s. Deep interest in Ukrainian folk music from the very first steps determined the direction of his activities. Numerous processing of folk songs influenced the musical language of the original works of […]...

  24. Summary Bedřich Smetana. Libusia LIBUSHE The solemn performance in three acts (six paintings) Libretto by J. Wenzig Characters: Libusche, Czech Princess Přemysl from Stadz Soprano Baritone Tenor Bass Bass Baritone Soprano Contralto Hrishoch from Otava Shtaglav from Radbuza } Brothers Lutobor from the Dobraslav Hills, their uncle Radovan from the Stone Bridge Krasava, daughter of Luthorb Radmila, sister of […]...

  25. Summary Konstantin Fedorovich Dankevich Konstantin Fedorovich Dankevich The genus. in 1905 One of the greatest composers of Soviet Ukraine Dankevich has shown himself in many genres. His creative work is characterized by a deep understanding of the spirit of Ukrainian musical folklore. In this Dankevich follows the precepts of the classic Ukrainian music N. V. Lysenko. The composer is […]...

  26. “Vanina Vanini” Stendhal in brief summary Italy of the XIX century. Aristocrat Vanin Vanini falls in love with an ardent young revolutionary who escaped from prison. Their feelings are mutual, but Pietro has to make a choice between love and duty to the Motherland… In the spring evening of 182 … the banker, the Duke de B, gave a ball, to […]...

  27. Summary of “Wedding” Figaro and Suzanne, the servants of the Count and Countess Almaviva, are preparing for the wedding. Figaro finds out from his bride that the Count is hoping to seduce her, and is enraged. He is determined to take revenge on his master. Dr. Bartolo appears with Marcelina, who at all costs wants to marry Figaro. […]...

  28. Summary of Mazepa Cossacks, Cossacks, guests, servants of Kochubei, serdeyuki, monks, hangmen. The action takes place in Ukraine at the beginning of the XVIII century. In the summer of 1881, while resting in Ukraine, in his beloved Kamenka, Tchaikovsky sketched out the opera plan for the plot of Pushkin’s poem “Mazepa” (1828). “One day,” he says, “I read […]...

  29. Summary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Don Juan DON JUAN Opera in two acts1 Libretto by L. da Ponte Characters: Don Juan Commander Donna Anna, his daughter Don Ottavio, the groom of Donna Anna Donna Elvira Leporello, the servant of Don Juan Zerlina Mazetto Baritone Bass Soprano Tenor Soprano Bass Soprano Bass Peasants, peasants, musicians and servants. HISTORY OF CREATION The plot is […]...

  30. Summary of Georges Bizet GEORGE BIZE 1838-1875 Bizet is a great realist artist. His cheerful, colorful and temperamental music is distinguished by melodic richness and dramatic expressiveness. The national-democratic aspirations of the French composers of the 19th century were half a mile in Bizet’s work, their most complete and vivid embodiment. Georges Bizet was born in Paris on October […]...

  31. Summary Jules Massenet JULY MASSNET 1842-1912 Massenet played a significant role in the history of the French musical theater. Since the last third of the XIX century, after the death of Bizet, he took the leading position among French opera composers. Lyrically, mainly, Massne gravitating to an intimate, chamber interpretation of stories, focusing on the development of poetic […]...

  32. Summary Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky ALEXANDER SERGEYEVICH DARGOMYZHSKY 1813-1869 In the history of Russian music, Dargomyzhsky entered as one of the founders of realistic art. Protest against social inequality, interest in the destinies of people from the people, social and accusatory orientation are the most important features of his creativity. His operas differ in the fineness of the embodiment of […]...

  33. “Conspiracy Fiesko in Genoa” Schiller in summary The place and time of events the author precisely indicates at the end of the list of characters – Genoa, 1547. The play is preceded by the epigraph of the Roman historian Sallustius about Catalina: “I consider this villainy out of the ordinary by the unusualness and danger of crime.” The young wife of Count […]...

  34. Summary Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Mazepa MAZEPA Opera in three acts (six scenes) Libretto by VP Burenin in the processing of PI Tchaikovsky Characters: Mazepa, hetman Kochubei Love, his wife Maria, their daughter Andrei Orlik, the executioner Spark, friend of Kochubei Drunk Cossack Baritone Bass Mezzo soprano Soprano Tenor Bass Tenor Tenor Cossacks, Cossacks, guests, servants of Kochubei, serdeyuki, monks, hangmen. […]...

  35. Summary Antonín Dvořák. Mermaid MERMAID Lyrical fairy tale in three acts Libretto by Y. Kvapila Characters: Prince Princess Mermaid Water Baba Yaga Forester The cook The first nymph The second nymph The third nymph Hunter Tenor Soprano Soprano Bass Contralto Tenor Soprano Soprano Soprano Contralto Baritone Prince’s retinue, guests, forest nymphs, mermaids. The action takes place in a fairy-tale […]...

  36. Summary of Pietro Mascagni Pietro Mascagni 1863-1945 Mascagni – one of the representatives of operatic faith. This direction arose under the influence of Italian literature and theater of the late XIX century. Heroes from the social lower classes, from the underprivileged and the poor, unreasoned life conflicts and human destinies, clashes of passions and characters – these are the […]...

  37. Summary Uzeir Abdul Huseyn-oglu Hajibeyov UZEYIR ABDUL HUSSEIN-OGLA HAJIBEKOV 1885-1948 Gadzhibekov is an outstanding Azerbaijani composer, the founder of the national music school, a major music scholar and public figure. Showing a special interest in the theater, he laid the foundations of the Azerbaijani opera. Uzeir Abdul Huseyn-oglu Hajibeyov was born on September 17 (new) in 1885 in the village […]...

  38. Summary Georgiy Illarionovich Mayboroda GEORGY ILLARIONOVICH MAYBORODA The genus. in 1913 Creativity of the prominent contemporary Ukrainian composer Georgy Mayboroda differs in its genre variety. He owns operas and symphonies, symphonic poems and cantatas, choirs, songs, romances. As the artist Mayboroda formed under the fruitful influence of the traditions of Russian and Ukrainian musical classics. The main feature of […]...

  39. Painting Flavitsky “Princess Tarakanov” “Princess Tarakanov” – the most famous work of Konstantin Dmitrievich Flavitsky, for which he was awarded the title of professor of painting. Contemporaries appreciated the uniqueness of the picture, the originality of the plot and its unusual artistic solution. The picture shows an adventurer, Princess Tarakanova, the imaginary daughter of Empress Elizabeth and Emelyan Pugachev’s […]...

  40. Summary of Bedřich Smetana SHEET SMITH 1824-1884 Sour cream is called the father of new Czech music, Czech Glinka. In his work, the musical genius of the Czech people flourished magnificently, the pictures of Czechia’s history, people’s life and nature revived, the rhythms of folk dances, the melodies of Czech songs captivating in beauty and freshness sounded. The legacy […]...

Summary Ludwig van Beethoven. Fidelio
«
»