Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio

Two years prior to the opening scene, the nobleman Florestan has exposed or attempted to expose certain crimes of the nobleman Pizarro. In revenge, Pizarro has secretly imprisoned Florestan in the prison over which Pizarro is governor. The jailer of the prison, Rocco, has a daughter, Marzelline, and a servant (or assistant), Jaquino. Florestan’s wife, Leonore, came to Rocco’s door dressed as a boy seeking employment, and Rocco hired her. On orders, Rocco has been giving Florestan diminishing rations until he is nearly starved to death. Place: A Spanish state prison, a few miles from Seville; Time: Late 18th century.

Director: James Levine

Cast

Karita Mattila

Leonora

René Pape

Rocco

B

Ben Heppner

Florestán

F

Falk Struckmann

Don Pizarro

Matthew Polenzani

Jaquino

J

Jennifer Welch-Babidge

Marcelline

Robert Lloyd

Don Fernando

M

MET Orchestra