Lise Davidsen and Tomasz Konieczny in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” on the big screen
The 18th edition of the award-winning series The Met: Live in HD 2024-25 is underway. It was launched on October 5, 2024, with a live broadcast of Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Now, it’s time for the only opera written by the last composer of the Viennese classicism, Ludwig van Beethoven — “Fidelio.” On March 15, audiences in cinemas, theaters, opera houses, and concert halls will have the chance to see a production by German director Jürgen Flimm.
What is “Fidelio” about? Florestan, sentenced to death by his political rival Don Pizarro, is thrown into a dungeon. His devoted wife, Leonore, disguises herself as a man and takes a job as a prison guard—the titular Fidelio. Before she can find and rescue her beloved, she must face many dangers. Will love bring salvation, and will Don Pizarro be punished?
Lise Davidsen will play the role of Leonore. The Norwegian soprano has been widely acclaimed on the New York stage, singing Puccini’s “Tosca,” Chrysothemis in Strauss’s “Elektra,” and Liza in Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades.” In January, Davidsen announced on her social media she was expecting twins and her final engagement before maternity leave would be Fidelio. She will be joined on stage by tenor David Butt Philip as Florestan and bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Don Pizarro. Other cast members include bass René Pape as the prisoner Rocco, soprano Ying Fang, and tenor Magnus Dietrich, making their debuts as the young Marzelline and Jaquino. The Metropolitan Opera orchestra will be conducted by Susanna Mälkki.
The current season of The Met: Live in HD series will continue with: “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart (April 26, 2025), “Salome” by Strauss (May 17, 2025) and “The Barber of Seville by Rossini” (May 31, 2025). All performances will be Saturday matinees. The list of screening venues in Poland can be found here.