Jaap van Zweden conducts Fidelio

Wagner's Götterdämmerung is a size too big for the hall under the present circumstances. Jaap van Zweden conducts Beethoven's Fidelio instead. With largely the same star cast.

Fidelio

Probably Fidelio is the best failed opera of all time. In 1805, Beethoven's Leonore, as the first version of Fidelio was called, premiered. For years the composer struggled with this work, until he delivered the definitive version in 1814. A work that lies somewhere in between: Singspiel, dramatic opera, oratorio...

Inhuman conditions

At the same time, Beethoven created the romantic German opera as if from nowhere. The orchestra is larger, more symphonic in scope than in Mozart's days, the singing style is heavier, more dramatic. And the subject - the liberation of the political prisoner Florestan - is entirely in keeping with the new era. At its core is the great scene of Florestan, who is held captive in a dungeon under inhuman conditions. His recitative "Gott! Welch Dunkel hier!" and the subsequent aria "In des Lebens Frühlingstagen..." form a profound heart-cry for a better world.