Washington National Opera
Fidelio
Opera House
Love fuels a revolution in Beethoven’s monumental, sole opera.
Oct. 25 - Nov. 4, 2024
Genre
Washington National Opera
Price Range
$29.00 – $269.00
Runtime
1 HOUR, 53 MINUTES AND ONE 25 MINUTE INTERMISSION
WNO Season Sponsor
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Florestan suffers in a secret underground cell, unjustly incarcerated for his political beliefs. But a light in the darkness is breaking: Leonore, Florestan’s wife, has disguised herself as the male guard Fidelio to free her beloved. By infiltrating the system that oppresses her husband, can she be the voice that overthrows it—and free her country from a brutal regime?
We launch our new season with Beethoven’s only opera, last staged by WNO in the Opera House more than 30 years ago. This new production marks the first WNO collaboration between Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and Music Director Designate Robert Spano, a four-time Grammy Award®–winning conductor.
Beethoven premiered his story of resistance, freedom, and dissent during a time of complete European upheaval. If his “Ode to Joy” declares the universal triumph of peace over war, then his Fidelio is an inspiring ode to love’s transcendent power over tyranny.
_____________________________
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven / Libretto by Joseph von Sonnleithner
In German with Projected English Titles
Composed 1805–1814
WNO's Fidelio
Sinéad Campbell Wallace on WNO's Fidelio
Jamez McCorkle as Florestan
Sinéad Campbell Wallace as Leonore
Florestan
Pizarro
Prime Minister
Marzelline
Jaquino
2nd Prisoner/Prime Minister's Assistant
1st Prisoner
Conductor
Director
Set Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Projection Designer
Co-Projection Designer
Washington National Opera's production of Fidelio with Sinéad Campbell Wallace (Leonore) | photo by Cory Weaver
Washington National Opera's production of Fidelio with Sinéad Campbell Wallace (Leonore) and Jamez McCorkle | photo by Cory Weaver
Washington National Opera's production of Fidelio with Denyce Graves (Prime Minister) | photo by Mauricio Castro
Washington National Opera's production of Fidelio with Jamez McCorkle (Florestan) | photo by Cory Weaver
History is often told as the story of clashes between larger-than-life rulers and their villainous counterparts. Leonore, ou l’amour conjugal, the drama that served as the source for Ludwig van Beethoven’s only opera, instead centers the heroism of an ordinary woman who disguises herself as a man in order to ...
Projection is an important element of Washington National Opera’s productions of Fidelio and Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner. Projection designer S. Katy Tucker and co-projection designer Kylee Loera explain its function.
Francesca Zambello is the artistic director of the Washington National Opera and directs Fidelio, which opens WNO’s 69th season on October 25. Here she explains why she chose this opera at this particular time.
Delve deeper as you take a peek inside the composer’s mind, behind the scenes of planning a production, and into the history and social context of the opera.
Free with a Fidelio ticket, starting 1 hour before the performance and lasting 25–30 minutes:
October 25, 29, 31 & November 4: WNO Music Administrator Ken Weiss
October 27 & November 2: WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello
Don’t miss your opportunity to engage directly with our artists and share your thoughts on the experience you just had! Here’s your chance to ask questions and get the inside scoop on the production from members of the cast and creative team.
Free with a Fidelio ticket, beginning immediately after the performance:
October 27: WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, Convener Emeritus, Justice Roundtable Nkechi Taifa and Sibil Fox and Rob Richardson, known as Fox and Rob
November 4: TBD
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Official Airline of the WNO Season
, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
Help build a rich legacy on the values of artistic excellence, engagement with a broad community, and a thriving future for the art form of opera and its audiences.
All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.
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