Beethoven’s only full-length opera tells the story of Florestan’s imprisonment for speaking out about the corruption of the state and the lengths his loving wife Leonore goes to in order to free him.
The production was semi-staged, allowing the superb Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment, led by the charismatic conductor Adam Fischer, to become part of the powerful performance, rather than being hidden away in an orchestra pit. Sung in German, the opera was accompanied by a witty commissioned narration by Simon Butteriss.
There were remarkable performances from all singers, particularly Brindley Sherratt who stepped effortlessly into the role of Rocco at short notice due to illness.
Brighton Festival Chorus represented the soldiers, prisoners and townspeople and helped to create a number of powerful moments, particularly the final victory chorus which ended the night in a blaze of glory as right triumphed over might.
Overall, it was an outstanding performance which couldn’t fail to draw parallels between Florestan’s incarceration and the many political prisoners around the world today, including in Burma.
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