SYNOPSIS
Background The governor of a Spanish state prison, Don Pizarro, runs his establishment with a rod of iron. Innocent prisoners become the political victims of his brutal attacks. Don Florestan from Seville sets out to expose these arbitrary acts of violence, but himself falls into the hands of the monster. He has been languishing in bestial solitary confinement for over two years. His friends believe him dead, only his wife Leonore has not given up on her missing husband. Believing that Florestan is being held in prison, she finds employment as an assistant to the jailer Rocco. Dressed as a man and using the name Fidelio, she does hard labour, earning the trust of her supervisor and even winning the love of his daughter Marzelline.
Act 1 Jaquino tries in vain to win Marzelline’s affections. Since the arrival of Fidelio, she is deaf to his entreaties. Fidelio returns from doing errands in Seville. Rocco is once again taken with the skill and conscientiousness of his new assistant. He is sure that Fidelio and Marzelline will soon be married. Marzelline and Rocco dream of a comfortable future, Jaquino sees his prospects dwindling, Fidelio lives in dread of the uncertainties she faces. SY NOPSIS
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