Beethoven: LEONORE

CONCERT VERSION OF THE OPERA

Programme

Ludwig van Beethoven
Leonore – opera in 3 acts (original version of Fidelio from 1805) to the libretto by Joseph Sonnleithner, Stephan von Breuning, and Georg Friedrich Treitschke.

In German with German and English surtitles.

Beethoven’s only opera was his problem child, for which he was even willing to go against his character and make compromises. Leonore’s aria, for example, with its dramatic, unsingable coloraturas, was simplified in the final version. But what does “unsingable” mean, after all? Beethoven’s exalted vocal style suddenly becomes comprehensible when we consider what his opera of liberation was really about: extreme situations that call for extreme expressive means. And of course extremely good singers are going to be needed to do justice to the work, which is no secret to a conductor of René Jacobsʼ caliber. I Want to Present Music in a New Way is the title of his interview book, possibly the most brilliant introduction to matters of historical opera practice – a book that truly opens our eyes and ears. And one thing is for sure: when Jacob is holding the baton, the music sounds new . . . but who needs words? Come and listen for yourself!

Contributers:

René Jacobs : Conductor
Marlis Petersen : Leonore
Maximilian Schmitt : Florestan
Johannes Weisser : Don Pizarro
Dimitry Ivashchenko : Rocco
Robin Johannsen : Marzelline
Tareq Nazmi : Don Fernando

Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Freiburger Barockorchester

Sponsor Klaus-Georg Hengstberger
Performance ends at approximately 10:00 pm
Tickets available from 22 € to 150 €