Fidelio

Opera by Ludwig van Beethoven

Libretto by Joseph Sonnleitner, Stephan von Breuning and Georg Friedrich Treitschke
Based on the libretto for the opera "Léonore, ou L'Amour conjugal" by Pierre Gaveaux and Jean Nicolas Bouilly (1798)
Semi-staged performance in German with German surtitles

Political thriller and central work of humanism, which deals with freedom, justice and humanity, but also with fidelity - "fidelitas" in Latin. And so "Fidelio" is also the code name of the woman who infiltrates the state prison in Seville in male clothing in order to single-handedly free a political prisoner - her husband Florestan, who was once imprisoned by the power-mad and brutal governor Don Pizarro because he wanted to expose his crimes. When Don Pizarro learns that the minister suspects victims of arbitrary violence among the prisoners and plans an on-site investigation, he decides to kill Florestan himself. The showdown finally takes place in the deepest dungeon: when Don Pizarro draws his dagger, Fidelio reveals himself to be a woman and bravely intervenes.
Director Vera Nemirova adds additional texts to this work for her semi-staged production, giving it greater moral complexity and psychological depth. The plot no longer appears as a heroic opposition of good and evil, but makes visible how everyday followers, doubts and self-justifications are part of the dramatic events. The result is an expanded, multi-layered perspective on responsibility, duty and human weakness.