Patrick Bade
Beethoven’s Fidelio: An Opera with a Political Message
Summary
Patrick Bade discusses Fidelio (1805), the only opera by German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The libretto tells how Leonore, disguised as a prison guard named Fidelio, rescues her husband, Florestan, from death in a political prison. The scenario fits Beethoven’s aesthetic and political outlook.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.
What a mess. Yes. I don’t know really the answer to that. It’s not seldom performed, David. It’s really commonly performed. Every opera house does it. I’ve seen it several times in the last couple of years. Cutting the dialogue doesn’t quite work.