![Fidelio](https://media.narodni-divadlo.cz/11302/1578304358-fidelio-2620x1376.jpg?w=1024&auto=compress%2Cformat)
![Fidelio](https://media.narodni-divadlo.cz/11302/1578301592-fidelio-592x896.jpg?w=1024&auto=compress%2Cformat)
Fidelio
An apotheosis of love, fidelity, freedom and panhuman brotherhood
Basic information
The State Opera
Approximate running time2 hours 30 minutes, 1 intermission (20 minutes) minutes
LanguageIn German, surtitles in Czech, English
PremiereSeptember 22, 2018
Story of an apotheosis of marital live and fidelity, as well as the idea of justice and pan-human brotherhood.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio is perhaps as cherished in Germany and Austria as Bedřich Smetana’s Libuše is among the Czechs. In his one and only opera, the German composer focused on the subject of abuse of political power, personal sacrifice and unceasing desire for justice and freedom. The heroine of the story is the brave Leonore, who does not hesitate to risk her own life so as to save her wrongfully imprisoned husband Florestan.
Cast
- 2024-2025
Creatives
About
The State Opera Chorus and Orchestra
One of the most celebrated composers of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven is deemed to have commenced a new chapter in the history of symphonic and chamber music. Even though he had considered more than 50 subjects for opera treatment, Beethoven ultimately wrote just a single piece in the genre. The libretto to Fidelio was delivered to the composer by his friend Joseph Sonnleithner, who translated into German and adapted Jean-Nicolas Bouilly’s French text Leonora ou l’amour conjugal, highlighting the notions promoted by the “rescue opera”, extremely popular around the time of the French Revolution and depicting the hero/heroine being exposed to mortal danger and ultimately saved. The happy ending represents the victory of lofty humanistic ideals.
The story of the political prisoner Florestan and his intrepid wife Leonore, an apotheosis of marital love and fidelity, as well as the idea of justice and panhuman brotherhood, presently impressed Beethoven. Nonetheless, setting a profound ethical message not for symphony or chamber rendition but for a theatre stage, with which he had no previous experience, proved to be a truly formidable task. Following the failure of the opera’s first and second versions, the opera’s third version, premiered on 23 May 1814 in Vienna, was a success. In 1814, Fidelio was first staged in Bohemia, conducted by the then Kapellmeister of the Estates Theatre, Carl Maria von Weber. The current State Opera production is an adaptation of the opera’s final version.
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Practical information
Where to buy tickets
The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in August 2024 – January 2025.
When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Parking at the State opera
While visiting the State Opera, you can take the slip road on Wilsonova street from the left lane close to the State Opera building to the Parking Centrum above-ground garage. The parking fee is 60 CZK/h.
Buffets at the State Opera
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
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