FRIED RICH TREITSCHKE

First performance: Theater an der Wien, Vienna, November 20, 1805 2 acts. FLORESTAN is the political prisoner of Don Pizarro and is slowly being starved to death in the deepest dungeon of the prison. Leonore, his devoted wife, is unable to explain his sudden disappearance, and finally disguised as a man (Fidelio) goes to the prison and becomes the a istant of the friendly jailor. Rocco. Marcel line, daughter of Rocco, becomes enamoured of Fidelio and invites the jealousy of Jacquino, turnkey who loves her. By encouraging this affair between herself and Marcel line, Leonore (Fidelio) is able to discover that a mysterious prisoner is being given a slow death in the dungeon. Don Pizarro, frightened by a letter from his superior, indicating a visit to the prison, instructs the watch to give a trumpet blast when Don Fernando, his superior, is sighted. He tries to bribe Rocco to kill Florestan in order to get him out of sight but Rocco will only agree to dig the grave. Rocco takes Fidelio with him into the depths of the prison to dig it. There Leonore (Fidelio) reveals herself to Florestan, and draws a pistol on Don Pizarro who arrives to murder Florestan. Don Fernando is announced by the trumpet call and Don Pizarro is lighted up to the surface where he is relieved of his position and Florestan and Leonore are happily reunited. III. Synopses of Operas (Stories of the Operas) — G g