5/8 Levine's Fidelio (with Subtitles)

The theatrical mask contemplated by a putto on the Beethoven
monument by Kaspar von Zumbusch (Vienna, 1880) commemorates
Beethoven's sole opera in the city where it made its debut.

Beethoven's Opera, Fidelio
Conducted by James Levine
Production: Jürgen Flimm · Set Design: Robert Israel Costume Design: Florence von Gerkan
with Karita Mattila · Ben Heppner · René Pape · Falk Struckmann Robert Lloyd · Matthew Polenzani · Jennifer Welch-Babidge
Metropolitan Opera Chorus,  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
2003

This is one of those modern 20th century stagings of a 19th century opera.  Personally, I have some trouble with these kinds of modern reimaginings, but I suppose if an opera is almost 200 years old, it can stand a few "unusual" variations.  Either way, Maestro Levine's music direction is great and this particular YT video actually has subtitles. 


Linklist (123 min)

12/26 Fidelio (1963, Berlin with Christa Ludwig)

(Christa Ludwig in Fidelio conducted by Klemperer, 1962)

I posted about Beethoven's only opera in the past but today being a weekend post I'm putting up the whole opera in one, long, 2 hour playlist - generously uploaded by Youtuber "1964fidelio"...
Happy Holidays!

I advise downloading the German-English libretto here to follow along...
(or if you just want to read the English translation go here.)

Beethoven: FIDELIO: 1963 Berlin (BW).Total length: 2 hours, 3 minutes

Christa Ludwig: Leonore
James King: Florestan
Walter Berry: Don Pizarro
William Dooley: Don Fernando
Joseph Greindl: Rocco
Lisa Otto: Marzelline
Martin Vantin: Jaquino

Arthur Rother - Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, 1963


Linklist

There also happens to be a full Fidelio conducted by James Levine at the MET from 2003 on YT - You can see a linklist of that performance HERE.