FIDELIO
by LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN

- his only opera, based on the German version of Jean-Nicolas Bouilly's play Leonore, ou l'amour conjugal

This tale of freedom, heroism and conjugal love is a "rescue opera," a genre popular in Beethoven's time: an innocent person (Florestan) is persecuted and, while awaiting certain death, is unexpectedly rescued by his wife Leonore disguised as a lad named Fidelio. The opera underwent two revisions before it became a sure success, a process that happily resulted in four Leonore overtures, of which those entitled Fidelio and Leonore No.3 are thought to be the finest.


>> The BEETHOVEN pages >>
>> BEHRENS on FIDELIO >>

Hildegard Behrens as FIDELIO


Photo credit: Met photos - ©Misako Uryu;
others - CFI Collection

Fidelio/Leonore

A risk-taker, a woman of strength, courage, devotion and unconditional love - just her kind of role.

Indeed, Hildegard Behrens has had a special affinity for it from the beginning of her career.  She first sang Fidelio at the Zurich Opera and it was the vehicle for her much acclaimed debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. And while Salome catapulted her to stardom, it was actually Fidelio that first brought her to international attention. Shown here are photos of her many acclaimed Fidelio performances in Europe and America. A second Fidelio CD, a historic live recording of her performance at the Bavarian State Opera with the legendary Karl Böhm. was released in 2001.

>> BEHRENS on FIDELIO >>