EMI: 2176302

Ludwig van Beethoven attempted to compose a number of works for the stage but only one opera was completed and that took three versions to reach its definitive form. The first had its premiere in November 1805, was entitled Leonore and was in three acts (with overture Leonore No. 2); the second in March 1806 was still entitled Leonore but now in two acts (with overture Leonore No. 3). The final version did not appear for eight years by which time he had also written another overture – entitled Leonore No. 1. This version had the new and final title and the overture Fidelio. Throughout his life Beethoven had sought to compose music which would praise freedom, valour and the brotherhood of mankind and the story of a wife’s bravery in seeking out her husband in a tyrant’s jail gives full rein to his musical genius. Sir Simon Rattle conducted the new production at Glyndebourne in 2001 and then recorded the work in Berlin with his orchestra and a first rate list of soloists in April 2003.