Beethoven: Fidelio

Glyndebourne Festival Opera, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

ARTHAUS 102307        128’00

This DVD dates from 1979 and is the famous production by (Sir) Peter Hall with naturalistic sets by his regular designer, John Bury. It was originally made for Southern Television and the images suffer occasionally from the age of recording. There also some minor in-balances with individual singers as they move about the stage. This said there is still a great deal to recommend the DVD.

Peter Hall’s approach is deeply humane in its handling of character, moving without being sentimental and ultimately life-enhancing. Elisabeth Soderstrom is a convincing Leonore, and Anton de Ridder an heroic Florestan. Robert Allman’s Pizarro is no simple villain, and is sung with dignity and authority. Curt Appelgren’s Rocco may be a little too easy going but is in keeping with the naturalism which Peter Hall is creating.

Orchestra and chorus under Bernard Haitink are in good form, and given this was an unedited, live performance there are remarkably few slips. A welcome addition to the back catalogue of Glyndebourne’s historical productions. BH