Fidelio, the only opera by German composer Ludwig van Beethoven: opera plot summary/synopsis, character description, and other Beethoven opera information.
For all of Beethoven's many works including symphonies, concerti, chamber music and songs, the master only produced one opera, Fidelio.
The plot of Fidelio is simple: love triumphs over injustice, in particular, marital love. By the time he was working on this, Beethoven was beset with hearing problems and eventually deafness.
- Opera: Fidelio
- Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
- Libretto: Joseph F. Sonnleithner based on a libretto by Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, later, revised by G.F. Treitschke. Also revised by Beethoven with premieres on March 29, 1806 and May 23, 1814.
- Language: German
- First performance: Vienna, Theater an der Wien, November 20, 1805. Final version performed at the Theater am Karnthnertor, Vienna, May 23, 1814.
- Setting: 18th century Spain, a fortress near Seville.
- Opera in Two Acts.
Fidelio carries Beethoven's musical signature, a powerful orchestration, and therefore requires equally powerful vocalists to blend with the orchestra. Fidelio exhudes that glorious music displayed both in the exquisite aria opening, for example, by Florestan in Act 2 in his dark solitary dungeon, as well as the prisoners' chorus at the end of Act 1.
The Characters / Roles in Beethoven's Opera Fidelio
- Florestan, A Spanish nobleman (tenor)
- Leonore / Fidelio, His wife, in disguise as Fidelio (soprano)
- Don Pizarro, Governor (bass baritone)
- Rocco, The jailer (bass)
- Marzelline, Rocco's daughter (soprano)
- Jaquino, The porter (tenor)
- Don Fernando, The Minister (bass)
Plot Summary / Synopsis of Fidelio
Act 1.
Scene 1. A room in Rocco's jail quarters
The jailer's daughter Marcelline, loves Fidelio and ignores the advances of the porter Jaquino. Fidelio is the poor young man was hired by her father as an assistant. What Marcelline does not suspect is that Fidelio is really Leonora, a woman in disguise, who came out in search for her husband Florestan. Rocco the jailer is most impressed with Fidelio and plans to offer him his daughter Marcelline. Fidelio/Leonora persuades Rocco to let her help him with his work in prison. Meanwhile, Rocco tells them about a mysterious political prisoner whom he has been starving on the orders of overseer Don Pizarro. This mysterious prisoner is none other than Florestan.Scene 2. The courtyard of a state prisonPizarro has wrongly imprisoned Florestan and plots to murder him. He is worried when he learns that the minister Fernando is coming. When Rocco refuses to kill Florestan, Pizarro decides to do it himself. Marcelline and Leonora persuade Rocco to let the prisoners go out for a walk. Pizarro arrives, furious at Rocco's lenient treatment of the prisoners.
Act 2.
Scene 1: Florestan's dark dungeon
Leonora, disguised as Fidelio has come to find Florestan. When Rocco and Fidelio/Leonora enter Florestan's cell and dig out an old well for a makeshift grave, Leonora immediately recognizes Florestan. She and Rocco give him food and reveal that Pizarro is the overseer of the jail. When Pizarro tries to stab Florestan, Leonora reveals her identity and draws a pistol. Pizarro rushes out and husband and wife embrace.Scene 2: On the ramparts before the castleThe prisoners and guards are jubilant and hail Don Fernando's arrival and their liberation. The minister is surprised and pleased to learn that Florestan is alive. Upon learning from Rocco what has happened, Fernando frees Florestan and has Pizzaro arrested. All hail Leonora's courage and devotion.
Sources Consulted
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin (Da Capo Press, 1997)
Opera, Alan Riding & Leslie Dunton-Downer, DK (2006)
