New-York tribune., 1909-08-08
'Fidelio Has Four Overtures Contusol Love o'or'-
ously Celebrated by the Great Composer


T~..;.chk. Y.~rots much OF the libretto and
Beethoven made considerable changes In The music.
restoring some OF the pages that had been elided
at the first overhauins. an its new form "fidelio"
produced the Theaier am karnthnerthor on
May %, 1914. II was a successful reawnkenlns.
on July is the opera had performance ior hes-
thoven's benefit Moscheles made pianotofte score
under the direction OF the composer who dedicated
fl 20 his angus, pupil. the Arehduke Rudolph. and
81 published in August by Artaria-
The history OF 'Nsdslio' interesting as II Ia, need
not be pursued here further than TO chronicle i''
first performances in the English. French ana
American metropolis. London heard IL hrst from
Chelards German company the Kings Theatre
May is. 1892 IL frat given IN English at
Covent Garden on June H. 1895. with Maiibran a'
LecnOre. and In Italian at Her Majesty's on May
90 1851, when the dialogue sung in recitatves
written by Balfe. There has scarcely ever been a
German opera company In New York whose reper-
tory did not includ. 'Fidelio." but the only per-
forlnances for many years after IL here were
in English. A company Of singers brought from
England by Miss inverarity to the Park Theatre
produced II first September ia. 1889. The parts
We're distributed follows: Leonore, Mrs Martyr
Atss invsrarity) Marcellina. Miss Poole: Forestan.
MI. Manvers Pizarro. Mr. Giubilei. and Rocco. Mr..
Martyr. The opera performed every night
a fortnight. Such a thing would be impossible now.
but lest some one be tempted TO rail against the
decadent taste OF to-day. let IL quickly be recorded
that somewhere I'm the opera-i hope not in the
dungeon scene-Mme- Giubilei danced a pos dc Jeur
with Paul Taglioni
Beethoven composed four oyertures for ''fadeiio"
but description o: them VIII bes, follow comment
on me drama and its music Some two gears be-
fore the incident which marks the beginning OF the
action Don Pizarro, governor OF state prison In
spain' not far from Seville. has secretly seized
HIoresan' political opponent, whose fearless hon
esty threatened TO Illustrate his wicked designs
imnured MIN In a subterranean cell In the prison.
his presence there Is known only P,xarro and
the jailer Rocco who. however. knows neither the
name nor the rank OF the man whom under strict
command, he keeps in letters and chained to 4
stone in the oiEnly lighted dungeon which he alone
Is permitted 20 visit. Floressans wife, Leonore
suspectins the truth has disguised herself mans
attire ana, under the of Fideiio secured en-
pioyment In the prison To win tho confidence OF
Rocco, che has displayed much zeal and indus
try in his interests that tho old man whose one
weakness is too great love OF money, gives the
supposed youth full measure OF admiration and
affection. tteelio's beauty and gentleness have
worked havoc with the heart OF Marcellina the
alers pretty daughter who Is disposed to ca st OF
Jaeuino' the turnkey, upon whose suit she had
smiled TIL her love for Fiaelio came between
Rocco looks with auspicious eye upon tho prospect
OF having so industrious and thrifty son-in-lsw
as F1deio promises 10 be 10 comfort his old axe
Inc action now begins in the courtyard OF the
prison. where, before the jaisrs lodge Msrcellina
is performing her household aut!es-!ron.ns the
linen TO be specific. Jaeuino. who has been watch
ahs for an opportunity TO speak 20 her alone (no
oouot alarmed at the new posture which hi. love
hnair is assuning). resolves ask her 20 marry
hifn The duet, quite In the Mozart!an vein
Dfsathes simplicity throughout: plain people with
pam manners, these, who express simple thoughts
IA simple language JaGuno begins eagerly: