Nederlandse Reisopera’s Fidelio makes opera truly accessible for all

Nederlandse Reisopera’s latest production of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio was a joint production with Den Kongelige Opera, Copenhagen (2020) and Teatr Wielki, Warsaw (2021). They were joined by Phion Orkest and Consensus Vocalis under the baton of Otto Tausk whose masterful and meticulous command of this incredible score, created suspense at every corner. Phion Orkest was on fire!

Deep in the dungeon, Florestan (Bryan Register), Fidelio (Kelly God), Rocco (Felix Speer) and Don Pizarro (Bastiaan Everink) contemplated their fate. Would good overcome evil? Would Florestan find freedom and at what cost?

There is always hope in the form of Fidelio – Kelly God – with her rich dramatic voice really set the tone. Her words surged through the Wilminktheater like wind – turbulent and unpredictable.

Bastiaan Everink’s Pizzaro, emerging from the shadows in a glistening silver suit, was the true embodiment of evil. He gave us possibly the most dramatic moment of the night. Standing amidst the menacing, balaclava-clad prison guards, he looked every bit the Bond villain. Everink is local to Enschede and is a former member of Consensus Vocalis.

Finale — The finale with Frederik Bergman (Don Fernando), Kelly God (Leonore) and Julietta Aleksanyan (Marzelline) against a backdrop of jubilant prisoners and their families live-streamed to the theatre, brought the technology of youth into the opera house, making Beethoven’s words and music seem almost contemporary.

📸 Marco Borggreve

French horns | Phion — The French horns were the undoubted stars of the show with their hugely intricate and impressive hunting calls. Seriously impressive. Pictured after their performance in Maastricht on Sat. 30th April, in the orchestra pit.

Click here to read the full review on Bachtrack

Follow Clare Varney on Facebook or Instagram to read more about Music, Food and Culture

Further listening:

Click here for a Spotify playlist created by Nederlandse Reisopera featuring some iconic recording of Fidelio with short explanations and context. Click at the top for an English translation.