This German-language opera in two acts was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, and first produced in 1805 in Vienna. The piece takes place in Spain, as a young woman, Leonore, attempts to liberate her husband Florestan from captivity in a political prison. To do so she disguises herself as a male guard named Fidelio, sparking the events of the play. This famed score requires acrobatic vocal abilities from its leads, and despite a very belabored process on Beethoven's part, his reworked script has made itself into the hearts, minds and repertory of of opera goers and producers for centuries.
