Beethoven Fidelio
This production is a gala affair; the sets are traditional (evocative of 18th-19th century Spain); the lighting is bright, so colors are good and one can see all of the action. Singers are generally well chosen and perform admirably. However, at this point, slight reservations creep in; although Janowitz (Fidelio/Leonore) and Kollo (Florestan) look "good" and act well, the singing parts tax them a bit when pushed to the limit. Most of the time that doesn't matter, and an argument can be made that a little vocal strain is in character with their dire plight. Ideally, for me, Vickers as Florestan would have added extra vocal heft and more sensitive acting than Kollo.
Cast
Gundula Janowitz
as Leonora
René Kollo
as Florestan
Manfred Jungwirth
as Rocco
Hans Sotin
as Don Pizarro
Lucia Popp
as Marzelline
Adolf Dallapozza
as Jaquino
Hans Helm
as Fernando
Karl Terkal
as 1er Gefangener
Alfred Šramek
as 2e Gefangener
Leonard Bernstein
as Conductor
