As a youngster, age 14, I saw this opera in Vienna around 1950. I remember the story of Love, suffering, and ultimate triumph that I experienced so many years ago.
Now there is a new recording via DVD that brings this opera to you.
Beethoven’s Fidelio, Op. 72
Recorded Live from the Zurich Opera House, with Jonas Kaufmann (Florestan), Camilla Nylund (Leonore), Alfred Muff (Don Pizarro) and László Polgár (Rocco).
With the Orchestra and Chorus of The Zurich Opera House, Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.
Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio never ceases to fascinate audiences with its spellbinding story of true love. Staged by renowned opera director Jürgen Flimm this production is the outstanding result of the teamwork of the orchestra and chorus of the Zurich Opera House with a cast of magnifi cent singer-actors.
Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund in the title role presents a wonderful portrayal of the opposing characters of the loving wife, Leonore, and her alter ego, the young man Fidelio. The internationally renowned tenor Jonas Kaufmann is her counterpart Florestan – the attractive singer plays a convincing suffering prisoner, brought back to life by marital love.
Nikolaus Harnoncourt emphasizes that for Beethoven “What he was concerned about is love. The real action is between Leonore and Florestan. Essentially, the work is about what can be achieved by true love and the fact that a loving wife is ready to do anything for her husband.”
I, too, was introduced to opera at a young age by my father and learned to love it. Own the Zurich Opera House DVD–excellent! Now, producing a documentary film about Fidelio. See Website: BeethovenHero.com