Beethoven Fidelio

Beethoven Fidelio

147 mins | Music | Nov. 4, 1978

This production is a gala affair; the sets are traditional (evocative of 18th-19th century Spain); the lighting is bright, so colors are good and one can see all of the action. Singers are generally well chosen and perform admirably. However, at this point, slight reservations creep in; although Janowitz (Fidelio/Leonore) and Kollo (Florestan) look "good" and act well, the singing parts tax them a bit when pushed to the limit. Most of the time that doesn't matter, and an argument can be made that a little vocal strain is in character with their dire plight. Ideally, for me, Vickers as Florestan would have added extra vocal heft and more sensitive acting than Kollo.

Beethoven Fidelio

147 mins | Music | Nov. 4, 1978

Beethoven Fidelio
This production is a gala affair; the sets are traditional (evocative of 18th-19th century Spain); the lighting is bright, so colors are good and one can see all of the action. Singers are generally well chosen and perform admirably. However, at this point, slight reservations creep in; although Janowitz (Fidelio/Leonore) and Kollo (Florestan) look "good" and act well, the singing parts tax them a bit when pushed to the limit. Most of the time that doesn't matter, and an argument can be made that a little vocal strain is in character with their dire plight. Ideally, for me, Vickers as Florestan would have added extra vocal heft and more sensitive acting than Kollo.
Producers Deutsche Grammophon
Original title Beethoven Fidelio
Directors Otto Schenk
Writers

Cast

Gundula Janowitz

as Leonora

René Kollo

as Florestan

Hans Sotin

as Don Pizarro

Lucia Popp

as Marzelline

Adolf Dallapozza

as Jaquino

Hans Helm

as Fernando

Karl Terkal

as 1er Gefangener

Alfred Šramek

as 2e Gefangener

Leonard Bernstein

as Conductor