Opera in two acts composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Synopsis
Act 1:
Setting: A state prison during the 18th century
Characters: Florestan, Leonore (disguised as Fidelio), Rocco (the jailor), Marzelline (Rocco's daughter), Don Pizarro (the governor), and other prisoners.
Scene 1: The Prison Yard
Florestan, a noble, is falsely imprisoned by Don Pizarro, the corrupt governor, for uncovering his dark secrets. Florestan's wife, Leonore, disguises herself as a young man named Fidelio and enters the prison to rescue her husband. She becomes an apprentice to Rocco, the jailor, and befriends his daughter, Marzelline.
Scene 2: Interior of the Prison
Fidelio earns Rocco's trust and assists him with various tasks. Rocco confides in Fidelio that he is unaware of Florestan's true identity and that Don Pizarro has issued an order to secretly kill the prisoner.
Act 2:
Scene 1: Rocco's Quarters
Leonore overhears Rocco and Don Pizarro discussing their plan to murder Florestan. Determined to save her husband, she steals the key to the dungeon where Florestan is held. Marzelline initially expresses jealousy towards Fidelio but later helps her in her quest.
Scene 2: Florestan's Dungeon
Fidelio/Leonore enters the dark dungeon and finds Florestan in a near-death state. She discovers that Rocco's assistant Jacquino is the one tasked with carrying out Don Pizarro's murderous plan. Leonore reveals herself to Florestan and nurses him back to health.
Scene 3: The Final Rescue
Don Pizarro arrives unexpectedly, discovering Leonore and Florestan together. Leonore confronts Pizarro's tyranny, revealing her true identity and purpose. At that moment, a military bugle call is heard, signaling the arrival of the Minister of State, Don Fernando, who has come to investigate the prison.
Pizarro tries to escape, but Rocco, Marzelline, and the prisoners block him. Don Fernando releases the political prisoners, including Florestan, and exposes Don Pizarro's corruption. Florestan and Leonore are reunited, and the opera ends with a chorus of joy and celebration.
Note: The summary above provides a general overview of Fidelio's plot. Specific details and character arcs may vary depending on the production or interpretation of the opera.