Beethoven’s `Fidelio’ to Be Staged in 17 Years

(Photo courtesy of MuAk Opera)

Seoul’s classical music scene is becoming increasingly diverse, but operas remain mostly limited to the standard repertoire of Mozart, Puccini and Rossini. MuAk Opera presents Thursday through Sunday a rare production of Beethoven’s ``Fidelio’’ -- for the first time here in 17 years and for the first time in the original German.

Beethoven’s unique opera, ``Fidelio’’ has been seldom revived since its 1805 premiere in Vienna under the German master’s own baton. Johan Simons brought the piece back into focus last fall through a modern reinterpretation at the Opera Garnier in Paris.

``Fidelio’’ debuted here in 1970 but wasn’t restaged until 1992 due to the strict military regime of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Set in 18th-century Seville, Spain, it traces a faithful wife Leonore’s efforts to save her husband Florestan, who had been illegally imprisoned for revealing the corrupt acts of Don Pizarro. She disguises herself as a man and enters the prison as a guard under the alias Fidelio and schemes to rescue Florestan from death row -- ``Prison Break,’’ anyone?

``We chose to stage `Fidelio’ rather than more popular works such as `Tosca’ because we felt a responsibility to introduce novel works to opera lovers,’’ said artistic general director Kim Kwan-dong in a recent press conference in Seoul.

``It isn’t light entertainment, as it depicts human sufferings. But the universal messages are relevant in modern society and shows that light shines in darkness,’’ he said. ``The story is dark but it is ultimately a happy ending,’’ said director Choi Ji-hyung. Indeed, the opera celebrates the triumph of love, justice and freedom. It also has some comic relief in the tradition of Shakespeare’s ``Twelfth Night,’’ where a young girl, Marzelline, falls in love with Fidelio.

The visuals will reflect the stark realism of the story, but MuAk Opera promises spectacular music, especially for the famous ``Prisoners’ Chorus’’ with an impressive cast of over 100 singers from the Grande Opera Choir. ``We did not want to compromise the work’s artistry for economic factors,’’ said the director.

``I’ve had the pleasure of hearing maestro (Choi Seung-han) conduct the chorus, and it’s one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve heard. From the quiet pianissimos to the triple forte, it had perfect diction and the most beautiful sound,’’ said American tenor Steven Harrison, who will share the role of Florestan with the popular Han Yoon-seok. Meanwhile, sopranos Na Kyung-hye and Susan Anthony will alternate the part of Leonore.

``Fidelio’’ begins at 8 p.m. except for Sunday, which will be a 4 p.m. matinee show. Thursday and Saturday productions will be in Korean, while the ones on Friday and Sunday will be in German. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 150,000 won. Call (02) 720-3933.

Beethoven Galore

In addition to ``Fidelio,’’ other pieces of music by Beethoven will fill local halls throughout the month. The Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music, under the theme ``Beethoven Plus,’’ presents the composer’s chamber works through May 18 in various venues around the capital. Visit www.seoulspring.org.

On May 23, virtuoso pianist Kim Sun-wook will join his former teacher, pianist-conductor Kim Dae-jin, for Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra’s special two-part concert featuring Beethoven’s complete Piano Concertos, at Gyeonggi Arts Center in Seoul’s satellite city, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Call (031) 288-2813~5.