Scottish Opera production of Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, marking the 200th anniversary of the composer's death.
Scottish Opera bring Fidelio to the Festival Theatre on Friday 26 February 2027, as part of their 'Beethoven 200' season. It's Beethoven's only opera, and this production marks the 200th anniversary of the composer's death, so it's one of the bigger moments in the season.
The story is a rescue mission. Leonore's husband, Florestan, has been secretly imprisoned by the corrupt nobleman Don Pizarro, and she'll go to extreme lengths to get him back. She disguises herself as a man and takes a job with the gaoler Rocco, and as Fidelio—'the faithful one'—risks everything to save him. It's sung in German with English supertitles and dialogue, so you'll follow the plot even if you don't speak the language.
It's a new staging directed by Ruth Knight, with sets and props by Yannis Thavoris, costumes by Alisa Kalyanova and lighting by Jake Wiltshire. Julia Sporsén takes the lead as Leonore/Fidelio, with Thorbjørn Gulbrandsøy as Florestan, and Kensho Watanabe conducting. The performance runs for about two hours and twenty-five minutes, including a twenty-minute interval.
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On the night, the house offers an audio-described performance, with a touch tour at 6pm for those who want to get a feel for the set and costumes before the curtain goes up. The show starts at 7.15pm at the Festival Theatre on Nicolson Street, and tickets for under-26s are £15.
