BEETHOVEN – FIDELIO
Daniel Barenboim – Deborah Warner – Teatro alla Scala

The twelfth edition of the Vox Imago series presents Fidelio, Ludwig van Beethoven’s only opera. The first version was performed in Vienna in 1805, a few days after French troops occupied the city, while the last dates from 1814, the opening of the Congress of Vienna. The opera’s genesis is inextricably linked to Napoleon and the yearning for freedom that is an essential element of Beethoven’s poetics.

These are the points that are touched on during the visual journey that Elvio Annese, with the collaboration of Roberto San Pietro, takes us on, painting an intimate picture of the composer within his historical context.

As with every issue in the series, in-depth essays provide an overview of the musical, literary, visual and social aspects essential for understanding the work. This year the project again includes an educational section, by Carlo Delfrati, designed for secondary schools.

This is the production of Beethoven’s Fidelio that opened the Teatro alla Scala’s 2014-2015 Season. It was conducted by Daniel Barenboim and directed by Deborah Warner.