Fidelio

 Fidelio, Beethoven's only opera, as it returns to the COC after nearly 15 years. 

This new production, helmed by acclaimed director Matthew Ozawa, presents a bold and visually stunning interpretation.

With revolving steel cages, industrial lights, and television screens, the opera captures both the musical brilliance and the arresting visual impact of Beethoven's triumphant hymn to justice and freedom.

Before you attend the opera, here are 10 essential facts about Fidelio:

Beethoven's Tumultuous Journey: Beethoven faced immense challenges while writing and producing Fidelio, often finding the process torturous. Despite the hardships, he later expressed that this work brought him great sorrow and held a special place in his heart.

A Tale of Hope and Heroism: The story revolves around Leonore, who assumes the identity of Fidelio, a male guard, to infiltrate the prison where she believes her husband is a political prisoner. She uncovers a world of abuse, oppression, and a plot to kill her husband. Undeterred, Leonore's actions inspire hope and strength, fueling the flame of political resistance.

A Revolutionary Opera: the political violence and abuse of power penetrated Beethoven's thinking following the French Revolution. Fidelio became his response, celebrating justice, freedom, and the indomitable spirit of humanity to overcome tyranny. This opera aligned with the rescue-themed works that were popular during the period and showcased the heroism of its protagonist, Leonore, and the lofty ideals of the era.

Fidelio or Leonore?: Originally, the opera was titled Leonore! The first two versions premiered in Vienna in 1805 and the following year under the name Fidelio to avoid confusion with contemporaneous operas also featuring the name Leonore. The final iteration, which premiered in 1814, is now called Fidelio.

Schubert's Attendance: Franz Schubert, at the age of 17, attended the 1814 premiere after selling his school books to afford a ticket. Beethoven, despite his advanced hearing loss, conducted the performance himself. Johann Vogel, who played the prison governor Don Pizarro role, later became one of Schubert's significant musical collaborators.

Musical Highlight: The Prisoners' Chorus: one of opera's most famous ensemble pieces is the captivating "O welche Lust" ("O what joy"), also known as the Prisoners' Chorus. This powerful ode to freedom, sung by a group of political prisoners granted a brief respite outdoors, features overlapping four-part harmony. Their voices exclaim, "Oh, what joy, in the open air, freely to breathe again! Up here alone is life! The dungeon is a grave."

Multiple Overtures: Beethoven faced challenges composing the Overture and worked through four versions. The Fidelio overture in E major, finalized for the 1814 revival, is the most commonly played in modern productions. However, many consider his second attempt in C major to be musically superior. Although occasionally performed as a concert piece, it was thought to overshadow the opening scenes of the opera as a full-scale symphonic movement.

A Hymn to Freedom: Fidelio became the first opera performed in Berlin after World War II. In September 1945, the Deutsche Oper staged the opera at the Theater des Westens. The Nazis had not banned Fidelio. Novelist Thomas Mann remarked on the apathy required to listen to Fidelio in Himmler's Germany without covering one's face and rushing out of the hall.

Historic Resonances: Fidelio premiered at the Semperoper in Dresden in October 1989, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the East German DDR. The Prisoners' Chorus received such thunderous applause that the performance experienced a temporary delay. Just a month later, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War and the reunification of East and West Germany.

Personal Significance for Matthew Ozawa: Japanese-American director Matthew Ozawa deeply connects to Fidelio. His father was born in a Montana internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Immerse yourself in the world of Fidelio, where sacrifice, heroism, and the pursuit of liberty converge, resonating with the conscience of its audience.