[ Brilliant Classics / 4 CD ]
Release Date: Sunday 1 April 2007
This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.
This production juxtaposes two versions of Beethoven's opera: a rare recording from 1976 of the 1805 one and a more recent one of the opera in its final form from 1814.
Fidelio is Beethoven's only opera. The composer also wrote three different overtures, Leonore – which is the real name of the woman pretending to be Fidelio - I, II and III which are performed far more frequently than the entire opera. Leonore was also the intended name of the opera.
In 1805 it was performed for the first time, billed as Fidelio. And it was not a success. After revisions in 1806 – again as Fidelio – and in 1814 it became the opera as it is usually presented today.
This production juxtaposes two versions of Beethoven's opera: a rare recording from 1976 of the 1805 one and a more recent one of the opera in its final form from 1814.
Among the participants in Leonore are the renowned soprano Edda Moser as Leonore and Richard Cassilly as Florestan. They perform together with the Staatskapelle Dresden under Herbert Blomstedt. The well-known version, Fidelio, has Gabriele Schnaut and Josef Protschka as the main characters. They are accompanied by the Wiener Philharmoniker under Christoph von Dohnanyi.
A unique opportunity to be witness of the development of Beethoven's opera.