The North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) will present Beethoven’s Fidelio, a NEMPAC Opera Project Production, June 22nd – 24th at 7:30 p.m. at Faneuil Hall’s Great Hall, and at the free community outreach performance at 4:00 p.m. at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park on June 25th.
Conducted by Dr. Tiffany Chang and directed by new Opera Project Artistic Director Rebecca Miller, Fidelio follows the story of Leonore, a young woman who attempts to save her husband from certain death by courageously disguising herself as “Fidelio†and taking a job as a guard in the political prison where her husband unjustly awaits execution. In a triumphant finale, Leonore succeeds in rescuing Florestan and exposes the jail’s corruption.
With an inventive dramatic structure, soaring score, and captivating heroine, Beethoven’s only opera—an ode to human dignity—explores themes of love, bravery, and resilience in the face of adversity. This exciting sixth season of the Opera Project features Libretto by Joseph von Sonnleithner, after a drama by Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, Orchestral Reduction by Francis Griffin, and English dialogue translation by Graham Billing.
“I was adamant that we present a story that we could stand behind — a story with strong ties to social justice that centers around an extraordinary female lead. Fidelio examines themes such as the powers of the state, incarceration and capital punishment, freedom, forgiveness, strength, feminism, persistence, and humanity. It’s quite timely, as it’s about overcoming political persecution, speaking the truth in the face threats, and challenging an unjust system.†– Rebecca Miller, Artistic and Stage Director
The role of Leonore will be played by two-time Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions regional finalist Sol Kim Bentley, and by Chicago Summer Opera’s featured 2016 artist Nataly Wickham. Tickets will be sold through www.nempacboston.org. For more information, please visit www.nempacboston.org or call 617-227-2270.