Ludwig van Beethoven

Fidelio op. 72: Act I, No. 10, Finale: O welche Lust, in freier Luft

The history of Ludwig van Beethoven's (1770-1827) only opera, Fidelio, Op. 72, is rife with twists and turns, among them that the opera was originally to be called Leonore. Beethoven cycled through two earlier versions (a 3-act version in 1804-1805 and a 2-act version in 1805) before he finally settled on a final revised 2-act version in 1814. Each version credited a different librettist, with the final libretto supplied by Goerg Friedrich Treitschke. Conventionally, only the final version is titled Fidelio, while the previous two iterations are called Leonore. The opera tells the story of Leonore, who disguised as a prison guard named "Fidelio," rescues her husband Florestan from death in prison. The Act I Finale, "O welche Lust, in freier Luft" (Prisoners' Chorus) occurs when the jailer Rocco briefly allows the political prisoners out into the sunlight, and they cautiously rejoice in the simple experience of fresh air and liberty while still fearing oppression. The chorus remains one of the most revered choral passages in the operatic repertoire. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.2.0: Timp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Soli SSTTBarB.Men's Chorus (TTBB). Reprint edition.