beethoven's only opera

The Canadian Opera Company opens its 2023/24 season with this magnificent new staging of Fidelio, Beethoven's only opera. Updated by Japanese American Matthew Ozawa, this stunningly designed production draws on his family history, modernizing the setting to a government holding facility strengthening the opera's original themes of love and liberty for a 21st-century audience.

What is the story?

Florestan sits in a jail cell, lamenting his current state. Imprisoned when he attempted to uncover the unsavory political machinations of the prison governor Don Pizarro, no one knows he is here, save for his wife, Lenore.

Afraid for her husband, Leonore takes a job as an underling to the jailer Rocco, creating a new identity as a boy under the name Fidelio. Whilst she toils for two years in his service, Don Pizarro decides to murder his detainee in secret, bidding Rocco and Fidelio begin to dig a grave for Florestan. Finally seeing his wretched character after so long, 'Fidelio' hatches a plan for his rescue, aided by the kindly Minister of Justice, Don Fernando, who just happens to be on a visit to the dungeons.

Courage, fidelity, love, and resolution abound as Leonore and Florestan are reunited and corruption cast out in this truly soaring masterpiece.