Beethoven Fidelio (1978)
This production is a gala affair; the sets are traditional (evocative of 18th-19th century Spain); the lighting is bright, so colors are good and one can see all of the action. Singers are generally well chosen and perform admirably. However, at this point, slight reservations creep in; although Janowitz (Fidelio/Leonore) and Kollo (Florestan) look "good" and act well, the singing parts tax them a bit when pushed to the limit. Most of the time that doesn't matter, and an argument can be made that a little vocal strain is in character with their dire plight. Ideally, for me, Vickers as Florestan would have added extra vocal heft and more sensitive acting than Kollo.
Director: Otto Schenk
 |
Gundula Janowitz as Leonora |
 |
René Kollo as Florestan |
 |
Manfred Jungwirth as Rocco |
 |
Hans Sotin as Don Pizarro |
 |
Lucia Popp as Marzelline |
|
Adolf Dallapozza as Jaquino |
|
Hans Helm as Fernando |
|
Karl Terkal as 1er Gefangener |
 |
Alfred Šramek as 2e Gefangener |
 |
Leonard Bernstein as Conductor |
|
Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper as |
| Directing | Otto Schenk | Director |
