Fidelio, Op. 72

ACT I: A prison for political dissidents outside Seville, Spain

In the gatehouse of a formidable prison, Jaquino, the gatekeeper, tries in vain to win back the affections of the warden’s daughter, Marzelline. She eschews his advances; her heart now belongs to the errand boy, Fidelio. As Marzelline sings of her devotion, Fidelio returns, laden with packages for her father, Rocco. The grateful warden welcomes Fidelio back and reassures him that his extra efforts in pursuit of Marzelline have not gone unnoticed.

Unbeknownst to all, Fidelio is not a lovesick young man, but a woman — Leonore — in disguise, desperate to ingratiate herself with Rocco so that she can find her husband, Florestan. Leonore believes her husband is locked in the prison’s secret cellar, incarcerated two years prior for attempting to expose the crimes of the prison governor, Don Pizarro.

Rocco promises a wedding for Marzelline and Fidelio and dreams of the wealth this union will bring his family. As Fidelio, Leonore plays the eager son-in-law and offers to lighten Rocco’s load by taking on his most harrowing duties. Rocco, however, refuses to discuss the horrific conditions of his most secret prisoner.

Martial music announces the arrival of Don Pizarro and his coterie. Pizarro is shaken to learn that the king’s minister, Don Fernando, is en route to inspect the prison. He knows that Florestan, a good friend of the minister, has not died as the minister believes, because Pizarro himself has been brutally torturing the prisoner for years.

Pizarro resolves to kill Florestan before the visit and enlists Rocco to help weaken the prisoner and dig his grave. Listening in, Leonore is both encouraged to hear that her husband lives and horrified by his impending murder.

On a whim, she asks Rocco to let the prisoners out into the fresh air. He grudgingly agrees, and Marzelline convinces Rocco to distract Pizarro in the meantime. Granted access to the grounds for the first time, the prisoners revel in this fleeting taste of freedom.

In the meantime, Rocco has secured Pizarro’s blessing of Fidelio and Marzelline’s marriage and, with it, a lucrative promotion for Fidelio. With newfound trust in his future son-in-law, Rocco informs Fidelio of Pizarro’s plan to kill and dispose of Florestan.

Pizarro blusters in, having caught wind that the prisoners are in the yard. Rocco makes the necessary excuses, distracting the governor with a reminder of Florestan’s imminent demise. Rocco and Jaquino usher the prisoners back into the dark fortress as Leonore prepares to accompany Rocco down to Florestan’s cell.

ACT II: The prison dungeons

Deep in the dark recesses of the prison, Florestan sits alone in his cell, despairing in his fate. A celestial vision of his wife briefly lifts his spirits before he falls asleep.

Rocco and Leonore — still disguised as Fidelio — quietly descend into the dungeon, guided by the dim light of a lantern. Through the dark, Rocco sees Florestan sleeping on the floor of his cell. As the pair begin digging the grave, Leonore casts worried glances at the sleeping figure, unsure whether it is her husband.

As the two continue digging, Florestan wakes. He begins to speak with Rocco, when Leonore is struck by the sudden realization — it is her husband! She composes herself as the men continue their conversation.

Florestan is enraged to hear he is being held captive by Pizarro and begs Rocco to send for Leonore, unaware that she is mere feet away. Rocco rebuffs Florestan’s pleas but agrees to share the last drops of his wine.

Having finished digging, Rocco leaves to alert the governor that everything is ready. Florestan begins to panic as Leonore comforts him. She desperately wants to reveal herself but holds back — the time is not yet right.

Pizarro arrives, gleefully flaunting a dagger, and commands Rocco to dismiss Fidelio and loosen the prisoner’s chains. Meanwhile, the disguised Leonore has slipped into the background, observing the scene from the shadows. As Rocco fumbles with Florestan’s chains, Pizarro mutters to himself that he will also have to dispose of Rocco and Fidelio — there can be no witnesses.

Suddenly, Fidelio leaps from the darkness and reveals her true identity — Leonore, Florestan’s wife. Her dramatic revelation is met with stunned silence. Composing himself, Pizarro raises his dagger to kill Leonore, but she swiftly pulls out a gun and points it at the governor. She is prepared to shoot.

A trumpet call interrupts the commotion, signaling the arrival of the minister, Don Fernando. Freedom is imminent! Jaquino and several soldiers enter to inform the group that the minister is waiting at the gate. Rocco calls upon several soldiers to escort Pizarro up the stairway. The reunited couple is finally alone, and they affirm their profound, abiding love for one another.

Before long, Rocco rushes back in with good news: Don Fernando has ordered the immediate review of all prison sentences and promised to hold Pizarro responsible for his crimes. Overjoyed, Florestan and Leonore embrace as the prisoners begin to sing of their long-awaited freedom. Justice has won the day.

— Kevin McBrien and Ellen Sauer Tanyeri

Kevin McBrien is The Cleveland Orchestra’s Editorial & Publications Manager; Ellen Sauer Tanyeri is The Cleveland Orchestra’s Archives & Editorial Assistant.