Synopsis and Commentary of Beethoven’s Leonore of 1805 By Nizam Peter Kettaneh and Ryan Brown Overture. Beethoven wrote the overture known as “Leonore No.2” first. It is in two movements: Andante con moto and Allegro con brio. For his revision of Leonore in 1806, which reduced the work from three to two acts, he composed the overture known as “Leonore No.3.” The overture known as “Leonore No.1” was composed in 1807 when he revised the work again, in anticipation of a performance at the Prague Theater which did not materialize. ACT I No.1 Aria of Marzelline: O wär’ ich schon mit dir vereint (O were I already united with you) Marzelline is in love with Fidelio, the key-carrier (who is none other than Leonore, the wife of the unjustly imprisoned Florestan, and who is disguised as a man in order to gain access to save her husband). Marzelline awaits the return of Fidelio, sent on errands by her father, Rocco the jailer, and sings of the joys of being soon married to Fidelio. In 1805 Beethoven placed this aria first, like Gaveaux and Bouilly. It established the importance of the key C Major, presaging the movement from c minor to C Major in the Finale of the opera and the theme of hope-love that will be associated with this key throughout the opera. Jaquino, the doorman of the prison, is the jilted lover of Marzelline. He tries to speak to Marzelline and to express his love, but no longer interested, she rebukes him. No.2 Duet of Marzelline and Jaquino: Jetzt, Schätzchen, jetzt sind wir allein (At long last, sweetheart, we are alone) Marzelline makes it clear to Jaquino that her heart is set on Fidelio. Whereupon Rocco enters and Jaquino pleads his case to him. Rocco sides with his daughter and tells Jaquino that Marzelline is not for him.
Pascale Beaudin as Marceline in Opera Lafayette’s Léonore, ou L’Amour conjugal by Gaveaux and Bouilly. (Louis Forget).
This duet is also closely modeled on Gaveaux/Bouilly. In subsequent revisions Beethoven placed it after the overture and before Marcelina’s aria.
No.3 Trio of Marzelline, Jaquino and Rocco: Ein Mann ist bald genommen (A husband is soon chosen) Rocco warns that marriage is not something to be taken lightly; Jaquino is upset at Marzelline’s refusal, and Marzelline will not be swayed in agreeing to marry Jaquino. This trio, not in the Gaveaux/Bouilly, was discarded in the 1806 revision of Leonore and does not appear in Fidelio. Fidelio returns loaded with groceries and heavy chains. Rocco congratulates him on his diligence and promises that it shall be rewarded.
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