Fidelio

Synopsis

"Fidelio" is the name assumed by Leonore, whose innocent husband Florestan has been imprisoned without trial by a corrupt political regime. Her risky two-year search for him has led to her disguising herself as a political agent, and infiltrating the prison where she believes him to be incarcerated Her fears are justified, and she even finds herself digging his grave, prior to summary execution. The moving love-story of their apparently doomed reconciliation reaches heights of joy when an unexpected amnesty leads to his release, and her pardon form impersonation.

Our Review:

19 May 2011

A staple of the operatic repertoire, Beethoven’s only opera continues to be regularly revived and treated with respect by opera companies across the globe, and it’s easy to see why. Fidelio is rich in character, if not necessarily story, and contains a glorious musical score that, in this new production originated by Scottish Opera, is played with much panache and gusto by the Orchestra of Opera North under the direction of Sir Richard Armstrong.

The plot concerns feisty and heroic Leonore (Emma Bell) who, disguised as male prison guard named Fidelio, plots to and succeeds in rescuing her husband Florestan (Steven Harrison) from death at the hands of Don Pizarro, the Governor of the prison (Andrew Foster Williams).

In the title role Bell carries much of the evening on her capable shoulders and as well as possessing a fine alto voice also proves that she can convincingly act. Soprano Fflur Wyn plays, with a...

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