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.

Don Pizarro enters. He learns from a confidential letter that the Minister is onto him and his abuse of his office. A surprise visit will clarify the matter. Pizarro reacts promptly. He posts a sentinel to watch the main road, and a trumpet signal will warn him of the Minister’s approach. Florestan, the most prominent of his victims, must be done away with as quickly as possible. Since Rocco refuses to commit murder, the governor must carry out the deed himself. All the jailer has to do is dig a grave in the dungeon. Marzelline and Fidelio plead with Rocco to allow the prisoners a short walk outside.

Elated, the prisoners enjoy the warm spring sunshine. To Fidelios dismay, she learns of Rocco’s new orders and asks to share his heavy work in the dungeon. Will she be helping prepare a grave for her husband? Pizarro is enraged when he sees the prisoners outside and will listen to no reasoning. Only his urgent plan to murder Florestan prevents him from ordering more stringent disciplinary sanctions.

Act 2

In the dungeon, Florestan, exhausted, broods on his fate. His situation seems hopeless to him, only the knowledge of having done his duty comforts him. In an ecstatic vision, he feels transported to heavenly freedom by an angel with Leonore’s features. Rocco and Fidelio arduously uncover a well. Florestan finally learns who the governor of the prison is and wants to pass the information to his wife in Seville. Fidelio now knows with certainty who the prisoner is. A light meal of bread and wine seems to be Florestan’s final enjoyment, as Pizarro is already approaching. However, when he goes to deliver the fatal blow, Fidelio steps between him and the prisoner: »First kill his wife!« She draws a pistol on Pizarro as he recovers himself, and at that moment the trumpet signal is heard. The arrival of the Minister promises a reversal of the situation: freedom for the oppressed, punishment for the oppressor. Pizarro rushes from the dungeon, Rocco dissociates himself from his former master, Leonore and Florestan fall happily into each other’s arms. The people and the prisoners greet the Minister, Don Fernando. At the behest of the king, he announces a general amnesty and the end of political despotism. In Florestan he recognizes the friend he thought dead. Leonore is permitted to remove the fetters from her long-imprisoned husband, Pizarro is arrested.