It's going to be a busy weekend for Wagnerians - and all for free! Glyndebourne's Meistersinger broadcast in cinemas and at the same time free to see and hear on the internet; and now Wagnerian soprano of the moment (see reviews of San Francisco Opera Ring Cycle) Nina Stemme in Fidelio on Radio 3.
Catch on Radio 3.
Beethoven's Fidelio
Presented by Martin Handley
The opera that cost Beethoven so much time and energy tells the story of a woman's determination to rescue her husband from imprisonment at the hands of an evil governor. Leonora disguises herself as a man - Fidelio - and takes a job as a guard at the prison where she believes her husband, Florestan, is interred. She manages to charm the prison warden and his family (to the extent that his daughter falls in love with her) before taking on the governor and achieving her aim. The Swedish soprano Nina Stemme tackles the demanding title-role for the first tme on stage and is supported by a highly experienced cast and conductor.
Leonore ..... Nina Stemme (soprano)
Florestan ..... Endrik Wottrich (tenor)
Jaquino ..... Steven Ebel (tenor)
Marzelline ..... Elizabeth Watts (soprano)
Don Pizarro ..... John Wegner (bass)
Don Fernando ..... Willard White (bass)
Rocco ..... Kurt Rydl (bass)
Prisoner ..... Dawid Kimberg (baritone)
Royal Opera Chorus (Chorus Director Renato Balsadonna)
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor ..... Mark Elder.
Nina Stemme As Leonore
© The Royal Opera / Catherine Ashmore
Endrik Wottrich As Florestan
© The Royal Opera / Catherine Ashmore
Endrik Wottrich As Florestan
© The Royal Opera / Catherine Ashmore
