The premiere of Fidelio

Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, explores themes of freedom, courage, and human rights through the story of Leonore, who risks everything to rescue her unjustly imprisoned husband Florestan. In this concert performance — a collaboration between the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and the Duisburger Philharmoniker — the opera is enriched by newly written texts from Ukrainian-German author Katja Petrowskaja. Her reflections connect Beethoven’s work with urgent contemporary and historical perspectives on freedom and human dignity. The texts are performed by acclaimed actor Jens Harzer.

Under the title “Der Menschheit Stimme” (“The Voice of Humanity”), a large participatory choir project by the Deutsche Oper am Rhein’s mobile stage UFO also highlights the continuing relevance of human rights, creating a musical bridge from the Opernplatz to the Philharmonie Mercatorhalle.

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Review by Der Opernfreund after the premiere (10.09.2025): 

"Vitali Alekseenok and the Duisburger Philharmoniker performed this opera with exceptional intensity and precision. The audience’s first “Bravo” was heard immediately after the overture, underlining the impact of the interpretation.

The cast was equally compelling. Jacquelyn Wagner brought both strength and sensitivity to Leonore, while John Matthew Myers made a powerful entrance as Florestan with his dramatic “Gott! Welch Dunkel hier!”. Hans-Peter König impressed as Rocco with a finely detailed portrayal that earned him the evening’s strongest applause. Strong performances also came from Simon Neal as Pizarro, Lavinia Dames as Marzelline, Riccardo Romeo as Jaquino, and Žilvinas Miškinis as Don Fernando. The chorus of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein added further power to the performance, culminating in a stirring finale."