Love. Courage. Freedom.

Beethoven’s only opera will be presented to commemorate the opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

The Synopsis

Fidelio celebrates courage in the face of tyranny.

The courageous Leonore poses as a boy (Fidelio) in order to work in the prison where her husband (Florestan) is wrongly imprisoned for his political beliefs. When Florestan’s execution is imminent, Leonore risks discovery and death for love, finally freeing her beloved from his chains and his fellow prisoners from oppression.

Vocal highlights include Leonore’s aria showcasing her determination to find her husband; Florestan singing his vision of Leonore as an angel coming to his rescue; the moving “Prisoner’s Chorus”; and a triumpant, joyful final chorus.

Music

Ludwig van Beethoven

Libretto

Josef Sonnleithner with subsequent revisions by Stephan von Breuning and Georg Friedrich Treitschke

Sung in German with projected English translations.

Running time is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.