Beethoven wrote no fewer than four overtures to his only opera, Fidelio, originally called Leonora. (The title was later changed in deference to an earlier piece on the same subject by the then-famous Ferdinando Paër.) The topic, which Beethoven adapted from a French play by Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, occupied him for the better part of a decade. The plot revolved around one of his most deeply held beliefs, the triumph of justice and love over tyranny and inhumanity. Florestan, a political prisoner incarcerated for his fight for freedom, is rescued by his wife, Leonore, who comes to the prison disguised as a man under the name of Fidelio.

The first performance of what was still called Leonore took place in 1805, followed by two revisions in 1806 and then in 1814, now under the definitive title. For each of these productions, Beethoven composed a different overture. The original overture from 1805 is known today as Leonore No. 2; Leonore No. 3, closely related to its predecessor, is from 1806. For the final revision, Beethoven wrote a brand-new overture (the Fidelio Overture). The misnumbered Leonore No. 1 is now known to date from 1807. Written for a projected performance in Prague that did not materialize, this piece remained unperformed during Beethoven’s lifetime.

Leonore No. 3 opens with a short introduction, after which the clarinets and bassoons play the theme of Florestan’s dungeon aria that opens Act II of the opera. This dark-hued melody is followed by an exciting transition leading to an exultant Allegro, symbolizing the passage from captivity to freedom. A sudden trumpet fanfare announces the arrival of the Minister of Justice who will set Florestan free, followed by some slower music expressing wonder and astonishment at this unexpected turn of events. The recapitulation begins with the solo flute’s delicate rendition of the Allegro theme. The entire orchestra soon joins in, and from there on it is a mad rush to the end, one of the most euphoric moments in the entire music literature.

Notes By Peter Laki