The Met: Live in HD presents ‘Fidelio’

Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” a timeless monument to love, life, and liberty, will be shown March 15 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish as part of The Met: Live in HD program. 

Sung in German with subtitles by The Metropolitan Opera, “Fidelio,” the only opera ever completed by Beethoven, is a deftly crafted story of love and adventure.  

In Act I, in a prison, Marzelline, daughter of the jailer, Rocco, rejects the attentions of her father’s assistant, Jacquino. Her heart is set instead on the new errand boy, Fidelio. However, Fidelio is actually Leonore, a noblewoman who has a job in the prison disguised as a man in order to rescue her husband, Florestan, who had been imprisoned by his political rival — the villainous prison governor, Don Pizarro. When Rocco mentions a man lying near death in the vaults below, Leonore begs Rocco to take her on his rounds, suspecting this might be Florestan. In the meantime, Pizarro learns that Don Fernando, minister of state, is on his way to inspect the prison. He realizes that if Fernando discovers that his friend Florestan is alive, all Pizarro’s plans will be lost. He tries to bribe Rocco to murder Florestan, but Rocco refuses. He then decides to kill him himself and orders Rocco to dig the grave. Leonore, overhearing his plan, prays for strength to save her husband. She again begs Rocco to let her accompany him to the condemned man’s cell. 

In Act II, Florestan, in the depths of the dungeon, dreams that Leonore arrives to free him. Rocco and Leonore arrive and begin digging the grave, as Pizarro has ordered them. Florestan awakens but does not recognize his wife as she is dressed as Fidelio. Rocco blows his whistle to signal to Pizarro that all is ready. As the governor advances to strike Florestan, Leonore reveals her identity and stops Pizarro with a pistol. At this moment, Don Fernando arrives and is amazed when Rocco brings his old friend Florestan before him and relates the details of Leonore’s heroism. Pizarro is arrested, all the prisoners are freed, and Florestan and Leonore rejoice in their reunion. 

Following a string of awe-inspiring Metropolitan Opera performances, soprano Lise Davidsen stars as Leonore, who risks everything to save her husband from the clutches of tyranny. Tenor David Butt Philip is the political prisoner Florestan, sharing the stage with bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as the villainous Don Pizarro, veteran bass René Pape as the jailer Rocco, and soprano Ying Fang and tenor Magnus Dietrich, in his company debut, as the young Marzelline and Jaquino. Bass Stephen Milling sings the principled Don Fernando and Susanna Mälkki conducts the Met’s striking production. There will be behind-the-scene content and cast interviews. 

The event starts at 11 a.m. Approximate run time is 3 hours and 10 minutes, including one 30-minute intermission. Tickets are sold at the door which opens at 10:30 am. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, paid by cash or check only.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the performance. 

The Met: Live in HD experience is presented by Whitefish Theatre Company in collaboration with the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. 

For more information visit whitefishtheatreco.org or call 862-5371.