Fidelio~Leonore
theater arsenaal, I SOLISTI & LUNALIA
© Diego Franssens
The story follows Leonore, who disguises herself as a man in order to free her beloved Florestan from prison, where he is being held for political reasons. Under the name Fidelio, she penetrates the heart of the prison system, initially driven by desperation and love. But in her new life, she also discovers her own strength, freedom, and independence.
When Marzelline falls in love with her and forces Leonore to critically reconsider her relationship with Florestan, her rescue mission evolves into a process of personal liberation. Who is Leonore, beyond her role as a lover, and what future does she want for herself?
At the same time, Florestan is wasting away in isolation and becoming increasingly radicalised. Leonore begins to wonder whether she still wants her life to be defined by his choices and ideals. Her disguise thus becomes not only an act of resistance, but also the beginning of a new, independent existence.
Fidelio ~ Leonore is not a classical hero story, but a confronting exploration of how far one can go for love. What remains of two people when they meet again after the abyss? The music reflects that inner tension, sounding torn, tender, and fragile. The performance pays tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven, but places his questions sharply in the present: what does love mean when it becomes intertwined with activism? How can art and music give voice to the desire for freedom? And do revolutions need heroes, or do they begin with ordinary people?
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Music:
Ludwig Van Beethoven – Fidelio, historical arrangement for nonet by Wenzel Sedlak
Alain Craens – creation and arrangements
Text:
Gaea Schoeters – Fidelio~Leonore
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Text: Gaea Schoeters
Direction: Ruud Gielens
Musical arrangements: Alain Craens
Musical direction: Francis Pollet
Actors: Pieter Genard, Femke Stallaert, Willy Thomas, Charlotte Vandermeersch
Musicians: Balder Dendievel (oboe), Korneel Alsteens (oboe), Tomonori Takeda (clarinet), Benjamin Dieltjens (clarinet), Francis Pollet (bassoon), Filip Neyens (bassoon), Anthony Devriendt (horn), Diechje Minne (horn), Jan Buyschaert (double bass)Production: theater arsenaal & I SOLISTI
Co-production: Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen/LUNALIA & PerpodiumGerealiseerd met de steun van de Tax Shelter-maatregel van de Belgische Federale Overheid via Flanders Tax Shelter.