Fidelio, Ludwig van Beethoven - Opera Plot

Ludwig van Beethoven’s opera Fidelio

• Fidelio composed: 1805
• First performance of Fidelio: Theatre An der Wien, Vienna, Nov. 20, 1805
• Libretto: Sonnleithner, translated freely from Bouilly's Léonore, ou l'Amour Conjugal
• Fidelio's setting: 18th century, a fortress near Seville
• Grand opera in two acts
• Language: German


The Main Characters of Fidelio

• Don Fernando, The King’s Minister (bass)
• Don Pizarro, Governor of a State Prison (baritone)
• Florestan, a prisoner , Spanish nobleman (tenor)
• Leonora, his wife, in male attire as Fidelio (soprano)
• Rocco, chief jailer (bass)
• Marcellina, his daughter (soprano)
• Jaquino, Rocco’s assistant (tenor)
• Captain of the guard


The story of Fidelio (plot summary)


Act I of Fidelio
Florestan, a Spanish nobleman, has dared to blame Don Pizarro, the governor of the state-prison, a man as cruel as he is powerful. Pizarro has thus become Florestan's deadly foe, he has seized him secretly and thrown him into a dreadful dungeon, reporting his death to the Minister. But this poor prisoner has a wife, Leonore, who is as courageous as she is faithful. She never believes in the false reports, but disguising herself in male attire, resolves not to rest until she has found her husband.

In this disguise we find her in the first act; she has contrived to get entrance into the fortress where she supposes her husband imprisoned, and by her gentle and courteous behavior, and readiness for service of all kinds has won not only the heart of Rocco, the jailer, but that of his daughter Marcellina, who falls in love with the gentle youth and neglects her former lover Jaquino. Fidelio persuades Rocco to let her help him in his office with the prisoners. Quivering with mingled hope and fear she opens the prison gates, to let the state prisoners out into the court, where they may for once have air and sunshine. But seek as she may, she cannot find her husband and in silent despair she deems herself baffled. Meanwhile Pizarro has received a letter from Sevilla, announcing the Minister's forthcoming visit to the fortress. Pizarro, frightened at the consequences of such a call, resolves to silence Florestan for ever. He orders the jailer to kill him, but the old man will not burden his soul with a murder and refuses firmly. Then Pizarro himself determines to kill Florestan, and summons Rocco to dig a grave in the dungeon, in order to hide all traces of the crime.

Rocco, already looking upon the gentle and diligent Fidelio as his future son-in-law, confides to him his dreadful secret, and with fearful forebodings she entreats him to accept her help in the heavy work. Pizarro gives his permission, Rocco being too old and feeble to do the work quickly enough if alone; Pizarro has been rendered furious by the indulgence granted to the prisoners at Fidelio's entreaty, but a feeling of triumph overcomes every other, when he sees Rocco depart for the dungeon with his assistant.

Act II of Fidelio
Here we find poor Florestan chained to a stone; he is wasted to a skeleton as his food has been reduced in quantity week by week by the cruel orders of his tormentor. He is gradually losing his reason; he has visions and in each one beholds his beloved wife. When Leonore recognizes him, she well-nigh faints, but with a supernatural effort of strength she rallies, and begins her work. She has a piece of bread with her, which she gives to the prisoner and with it the remainder of Rocco's wine. Rocco, mild at heart, pities his victim sincerely, but he dares not act against the orders of his superior, fearing to lose his position, or even his life. While Leonore refreshes the sick man, Rocco gives a sign to Pizarro, that the work is done, and bids Fidelio leave; but she only hides herself behind a stone-pillar, waiting with deadly fear for the coming event and decided to save her husband or to die with him.

Pizarro enters, secretly resolved to kill not only his foe, but also both witnesses of his crime. He will not kill Florestan however without letting him know, who his assailant is. So he loudly shouts his own much-feared name, but while he raises his dagger, Leonore throws herself between him and Florestan, shielding the latter with her breast. Pizarro, stupefied like Florestan, loses his presence of mind. Leonore profits by it and presents a pistol at him, with which she threatens his life, should he attempt another attack. At this critical moment the trumpets sound, announcing the arrival of the Minister, and Pizarro, in impotent wrath is compelled to retreat. They are all summoned before the Minister, who is shocked at seeing his old friend Florestan in this sad state, but not the less delighted with and full of reverence for the noble courage of Leonore.

Pizarro is conducted away in chains, and the faithful wife with her own hands removes the fetters, which still bind the husband for whom she has just won freedom and happiness. Marcellina, feeling inclined to be ashamed of her mistake, returns to her simple and faithful lover Jaquino.

*****
Annesley, Charles; Standard Operaglass; London, 1911