1814
Donald Macleod explores music and events in Beethoven's life from 1814, including the opera Fidelio, one of the most moving of all musical dramas.
In 1814, Beethoven created the version of his opera Fidelio we know today. It is one of the most intense and moving of all music dramas, a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It was first written and staged nine years earlier, in November 1805, while Vienna was still under occupation by Napoleon's armies and folded after only three performances. But in the celebratory mood that pervaded the City after Napoleon's abdication in 1814, the newly revised opera was a success and went on to secure its place in the repertoire. Donald Macleod explores key music and events of Beethoven's year.
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Music Played
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Fidelio Act I no.6 - March
Performer: Deborah Voigt (Leonore), Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz (Marzelline), Günter von Kannen (Don Pizarro), Thomas Quasthoff (Don Fernando), Matthias Hölle (Rocco), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis (conductor)
- RCA 09026 68344-2.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Act 1 no.3 "Mir ist so wunderbar"
Performer: Deborah Voigt (Leonore), Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz (Marzelline), Matthias Hölle (Rocco), Michael Schade (Jaquino), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis (conductor)
- RCA 09026 68344-2.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Fidelio Act I - No.9 Recitative and Aria:
Performer: Abscheulicher, wo eilst du hin? Performer: Deborah Voigt (Leonore), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis (conductor)
- RCA 09026 68344-2.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Fidelio Act I - No.10 "O welche Lust, in freier Luft"
Performer: Andreas Schulist (1st prisoner), Wilfried Vorwol, (2nd prisoner), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and chorus, Colin Davis (conductor)
- RCA 09026 68344-2.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Fidelio Act II (extract)
Performer: Günter von Kannen (Don Pizarro), Deborah Voigt (Leonore), Ben Heppner (Florestan), Matthias Hölle (Rocco), Thomas Quasthoff (Don Fernando), Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz (Marzelline), Michael Schade (Jaquino),
- RCA 09026 68344-2.
Broadcasts
- Thu 13 May 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 13 May 201022:00BBC Radio 3
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