Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Information about the composer Ludwig van Beethoven and his operas.
One of the most respected and influential composers of all time.
Operas (complete):
Fidelio
Beethoven's only opera, written as a response to Mozart's Don Giovanni.
Recommended recordings on CD
Elder (Glyndebourne GFOCD 004-06)
An excellent modern production set in a prison camp, and recorded live in 2006 at the Glyndebourne Festival.
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder, 2006.
Glyndebourne GFOCD 004-06
Halász/Nielsen/Winbergh (Naxos 8.660901-03)
An Opera Plus version combining Fidelio (c. Halász) with a commentary CD.
Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, Hungarian Radio Chorus, conducted by Michael Halász, 1998.
Cast: Inga Nielsen (Leonore), Gösta Winbergh (Florestan), Alan Titus (Don Pizarro), Kurt Moll (Rocco), Edith Lienbacher (Marzelline), Herwig Pecoraro (Jaquino).
Naxos 8.660901-03
Klemperer/Ludwig/Vickers (EMI Classics 7243 567 364-2)
This 1962 studio recording is considered by many to be the definitive version.
Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Otto Klemperer, 1962.
Cast: Christa Ludwig (Leonore), Jon Vickers (Florestan), Walter Berry (Don Pizarro), Gottlob Frick (Rocco), Ingeborg Hallstein (Marzelline), Gerhard Unger (Jaquino).
EMI Classics 7243 567 364-2
Halász/Nielsen/Winbergh (Naxos 8.660070-71)
A newcomer that surpasses the classic recordings, and at budget price.
Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, Hungarian Radio Chorus, conducted by Michael Halász, 1998.
Cast: Inga Nielsen (Leonore), Gösta Winbergh (Florestan), Alan Titus (Don Pizarro), Kurt Moll (Rocco), Edith Lienbacher (Marzelline), Herwig Pecoraro (Jaquino).
Naxos 8.660070-71 (mono)
Furtwängler/Mödl/Windgassen (Naxos Historical 8.111020-21)
A historic recording from 1953.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler, 1953.
Cast: Martha Mödl (Leonore), Wolfgang Windgassen (Florestan), Otto Edelmann (Don Pizarro), Gottlob Frick (Rocco).
Naxos Historical 8.111020-21
Recommended recordings on DVD
Harnoncourt/Nylund/Kaufmann (Arthaus Musik 107 111)
Recorded live at the Opernhaus, Zürich, in 2004, this is a superb performance with excellent sound, a near-perfect cast, and an effective minimalist production by Jürgen Flimm.
Zurich Opera House Chorus, Zurich Opera House Orchestra, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 2004.
Cast: Camilla Nylund (Leonore), Jonas Kaufmann (Florestan), Alfred Muff (Don Pizarro), László Polgár (Rocco), Elizabeth Rae Magnuson (Marzelline), Christoph Strehl (Jaquino).
Arthaus Musik 107 111
Also included in the boxed set:
Magic Moments of Opera