“Fidelio”

by Ludwig van Beethoven libretto (English)

Contents: Cast, overture, introduction; Act One; Act Two

ACT ONE

The courtyard of the state prison. In the background the
main gate and a high wall with ramparts over which
trees are visible. In the gate itself, which is shut, there is
a little wicket which is opened for occasional visitors on
foot. Near the gate is the porter’s lodge. The wings on
the left represent the prisoners’ cells; all the windows
are barred and the doors, which are numbered, are rein-
forced with iron and shuttered with heavy bolts. In the
forwardmost wing is the door to the gaoler’s quarters.
On the right there are trees protected by iron railings,
and these, with a garden gate, show the entrance to the
castle gardens.

(Marzelline is ironing laundry in front of her door; at her
side is a brazier on which she warms the iron. Jaquino
stands close to his lodge; he opens the door to various
people who hand parcels to him which he puts in his
lodge.)

No.1: Duet

JAQUINO (ardently rubbing his hands)
Now, sweetheart, now we are alone,
we can have a private chat.

MARZELLINE (continuing her work)
It will not be that important,
I must not linger over my work.

JAQUINO
Just a word, you stubborn girl!

MARZELLINE
Speak on then, I am listening.

JAQUINO
If you do not look more kindly at me
I won’t get a single word out.

MARZELLINE
If you do not fall in with me,
I’ll close my ears altogether.
Well then, I can never have peace,
so speak, just speak on.

JAQUINO
Listen just a moment to me,
then I’ll leave you in peace again.
I – I have –
I have chosen you
to be my wife, do you understand?

MARZELLINE
That’s clear indeed.

JAQUINO
And if your “Yes” is not lacking,
what do you think?

MARZELLINE
Then we’ll be a pair.

JAQUINO
In a few weeks we could...

MARZELLINE
Very fine, already you are naming the day!

JAQUINO

The Deuce take that endless knocking!
There I was, nicely started
and always the prey escapes me!

MARZELLINE
At last I am set free!
How anxious his love makes me feel,
and how long the hours are!
(Jaquino opens the wicket, takes a parcel and places it
in his lodge; meanwhile Marzelline works on.)

I know the poor fellow is suffering
and I’m sorry for him.
Fidelio I have chosen;
to love him is a sweet prize.

JAQUINO (comes back)
Where was I? She’s not looking at me.

MARZELLINE
There he is – he’s starting again!

JAQUINO
When will you say yes?
It could well be today.

MARZELLINE (aside)
Alas, he embitters my life!
(to Jaquino)
Now, tomorrow and forever, no, no!

JAQUINO
Truly you are made of stone,
no wish, no plea can move you.

MARZELLINE (to herself)
I must be hard with him,
he hopes at the smallest sign.

JAQUINO
Then will you never change your mind?
What do you think?

MARZELLINE
You might as well go.

JAQUINO
What?
Will you forbid me to look at you?
Even that?

MARZELLINE
Stay here then.

JAQUINO
Still, you have so often promised me...

MARZELLINE
Promised?
No, that’s going too far!

JAQUINO
The Deuce take that endless knocking!

MARZELLINE
At last I am set free!
That is a welcome sound.
I was frightened to death.

JAQUINO
She was seriously frightened,
who knows, I might have succeeded.

MARZELLINE (alone)
Poor Jaquino makes me almost sorry. I used to like
him well enough; then Fidelio came to our house, and
since that time everything in me and around me is
changed.

No.2: Aria

MARZELLINE
Oh, were I now united with you,
and might call you Husband!
What it would mean, a maiden can
only half admit.
But when I do not have to blush
at a warm and heartfelt kiss,
when nothing on earth can disturb us –
(sighs and lays her hand on her breast)
Hope already fills my breast
with inexpressibly sweet delight:
how happy I shall be!
In the peace of quiet domesticity
I shall awake each morning,
we shall greet one another tenderly,
toil will banish care.
And when the work is finished,
then blessed night will creep on,
then we shall rest from our troubles.
Hope already fills my breast
with inexpressible sweet delight:
how happy I shall be!

ROCCO (entering)
Good day, Marzelline. Is Fidelio not back yet?

MARZELLINE
No, father – Ah yes, there he is!
(Leonore enters. She wears a dark doublet, a red waist-
coat, dark breeches, short boots, a broad belt of black
leather with a copper buckle; her hair is worn in a net
cap. On her back she carries a pannier with provisions,
in her arms are chains which, as she enters, she sets
down at the porter’s lodge; a metal tin on a cord hangs
at her side.)

ROCCO
Poor Fidelio, this time you have taken too much upon
yourself.

LEONORE
I must admit I am a little tired. The blacksmith took so
long repairing the chains that I thought he would never
get them finished.

ROCCO
Are they well made now?

LEONORE
Certainly, very well and strongly. None of the prisoners
will be able to break them.

ROCCO
Good! Fine!
(aside)
The scamp takes all this trouble, obviously because of
Marzelline.

LEONORE
I try to do what I can.

ROCCO
Yes, yes, you are a good lad. No one could be more
hard-working, more sensible. I like you more and more
every day. And be assured your reward will not be
wanting.

LEONORE
Oh, do not think that I carry out my duties only for the
reward...

ROCCO
Hush! Do you imagine I cannot see into your heart?

No.3: Quartet

MARZELLINE (aside)
So strange I feel,
my heart is gripped;
he loves me, it is clear,
I shall be happy!

LEONORE (aside)
How great is the danger,
how weak the ray of hope!
She loves me, it is clear,
oh, nameless pain!

ROCCO (aside)
She loves him, it is clear;
yes, maiden, he will be yours!
A good young couple,
they will be happy!

JAQUINO (aside)
My hair stands on end,
the father is willing,
strange it is to me,
I see no way out!
(Jaquino returns to his lodge.)

ROCCO
Listen, Fidelio, do you know what I'll do? I, I'll make
you my son-in-law! Now, my children, you love one
another truly, don't you? But that isn't everything that
a good, contented household requires; you also
need...

(He mimes as if counting money.)

No.4: Aria

ROCCO
If you don’t have money too,
you cannot be really happy;
life drags sadly by,
many an anxiety sets in.
But when it clinks and rolls in your pockets,
fate is then your prisoner,
and money will bring you power and love
and satisfy your wildest dreams.
Luck, like a servant, works for wages;
it’s lovely thing, is money,
it’s a precious thing, is money.
If you add nothing to nothing
the total is and stays small;
if you find only love at meal times,
you’ll be hungry afterwards.
Then let fortune smile kindly upon you,
and bless and guide your efforts;
your sweetheart in your arms, money in your
purse,
so may you live many years.
Luck, like a servant, works for wages;
it’s a mighty thing, is money.

LEONORE
It is easy for you to say that, Master Rocco, but I, I
maintain that the union of two hearts that beat as one
is the source of true conjugal happiness. Oh, this hap-
piness must be the greatest treasure on earth! There
is indeed something else that would be no less pre-
cious to me, but with sorrow I see that despite all my
efforts I shall not achieve it.

ROCCO
And what is that?

LEONORE
Your trust. Forgive me this small reproach, but often I
see you return from the underground dungeons of this
castle quite out of breath and exhausted. Why do you
not allow me to accompany you there? It would so
please me if I could help you in your work and share
your hardships.

ROCCO
You surely know that I have the strictest orders to let
nobody, whoever it might be, in to the state prisoners.
And there is one dungeon into which I may never take

you, although I can trust you completely.

MARZELLINE
You mean where that prisoner is of whom you have
several times spoken in the past?

ROCCO
You have guessed right, Marzelline.

LEONORE
I believe he has been in prison for a long time?

ROCCO
It is already over two years.

LEONORE
Two years, you say? He must be a great criminal!

ROCCO
Or he must have great enemies, that almost amounts
to the same. Well, he will not trouble me much longer.
He cannot last much longer.

LEONORE
Almighty God!

MARZELLINE
Dear heaven! How did he earn such heavy punish-
ment?

ROCCO
For the last month I've had orders from Pizarro to
reduce his rations. Now within twenty-four hours he
has no more than two ounces of black bread and half
a cup of water; no light, no straw, nothing, nothing!

MARZELLINE
O father dear, don't take Fidelio to him! He couldn't
bear the sight.

LEONORE
Why not? I have the courage and strength!

No.5: Trio

ROCCO
Good, my son, good,
keep up your courage,
then you will achieve your ends;
your heart will harden
in the presence
of terrible things.

LEONORE
I have the courage!
In cold blood
I will dare to go down there;
for great reward
love can
bear even great suffering.

MARZELLINE
Your kind heart
will suffer many a pain
in these dungeons;
then will return
love’s happiness,
and inexpressible joys.

ROCCO
You will build your happiness securely.

LEONORE
I trust in God and Right.

MARZELLINE
Look into my eyes too;
the power of Love is not small either.
Yes, yes, we will be happy.

LEONORE
Yes, yes, I can still be happy.

ROCCO
Yes, yes, I can still be happy.
The governor...
the governor must today allow
you to share my work.

LEONORE
You will rob me of all peace
if you delay even till tomorrow.

MARZELLINE
Yes, dear father, ask him today,
then we shall soon be a pair.

ROCCO
I shall soon be prey for the grave,
I need help, it is true.

LEONORE (aside)
How long I’ve been the prey of grief!
You, Hope, give me solace.

MARZELLINE
Ah, father dear, what are you thinking of?
Long must you be our friend and guide.

ROCCO
Be on your guard, then all is well,
your longing will be stilled.

MARZELLINE
Oh, have courage, o what fire!
O what a deep longing!

LEONORE
You are so good, you give me courage,
my longing will soon be stilled!

ROCCO
Take hands and plight your troth
in tears of sweet joy.

LEONORE (aside)
I gave my hand in sweet troth,
it costs bitter tears.

MARZELLINE
A firm troth with heart and hand!
O sweet, sweet tears!

No.6: March

(During this march the main gate is opened by sentries
outside. Officers and a platoon enter, followed by
Pizarro; the gate is closed behind them.)

PIZARRO
Where are the dispatches?

ROCCO
Here.

PIZARRO
What do I see? Methinks I know this hand.
Let me see!
"I give you information that the Minister has been
apprised that the state prisons under your command
contain several victims of arbitrary force. He leaves
tomorrow to surprise you with an inspection. Take
care, and try to safeguard yourself."
God, if he discovered that I hold this Florestan, whom
he believes long dead, in chains, he, who so often pro-
voked my vengeance! But there is a way! One bold
deed can dispel all fears!

No.7: Aria with Chorus

PIZARRO
Ha! What a moment!
I shall satisfy my vengeance!
Your fate calls you!
To plunge in his heart,
o bliss, great joy!
Once I was nearly in the dust,
a prey to open mockery,
to be laid low;
now it is my turn
to murder the murderer myself.
In his last hour,
the steel in his wound,
to scream in his ear:
“Triumph! Victory is mine!”

SENTRIES’ CHORUS (under their breath)
He speaks of death and wounds!
Off, now, on our rounds!
How important it must be!

PIZARRO
Ha! What a moment!
I shall satisfy my vengeance!
Ha! Now it is my turn
to murder the murderer myself!

CHORUS
He speaks of death and wounds!
Keep sharp watch on your rounds!
How important it must be!

PIZARRO
Ha! What a moment!
I shall satisfy my vengeance!
Your fate calls you!
Triumph! Victory is mine!
Captain, mount the tower at once with a trumpeter.
Watch the Seville road with the greatest attention. As
soon as you see a coach with outriders, order the
trumpeter instantly to give a signal. Do you under-
stand? Instantly! I expect the utmost punctuality! You
answer for it with your head. Rocco!

ROCCO
Sir!

No.8: Duet

PIZARRO
Now, old man, it is urgent!
Luck is in your way,
you will be a rich man.
(throwing him a purse)
This is only an advance.

ROCCO
Then tell me quickly,
how I can be of service.

PIZARRO
You have grown cold-blooded,
of undaunted courage
through long service.

ROCCO
What shall I do? Tell me!

PIZARRO
Murder!

ROCCO
What?

PIZARRO
Now listen to me!
You’re trembling? Are you a man?
We dare not delay,
the State depends on
the evil underling
being quickly put out of the way.

ROCCO
O sir!

PIZARRO
You’re still waiting?
(aside)
He must live no longer,
or I am done for.
Shall Pizarro tremble?
You fall, I shall stand.

ROCCO
I feel my limbs tremble,
how could I stand for that?
I will not take his life,

whatever may happen.
No, sir, to take life,
that is not my duty.

PIZARRO
I’ll make my own arrangements,
if you are lacking courage.
Now hurry, quick and sharp,
to that man below,
you know...

ROCCO
...who’s hardly alive
and hovers like a shadow?

PIZARRO
To him, down to him!
I shall wait near by,
in the well you shall dig
a grave very quickly.

ROCCO
And then? And then?

PIZARRO
Then, muffled, I myself will quickly
creep into the cell.
One blow
(he shows the dagger)
...and he is mute!

ROCCO
Famished in his chains,
he has suffered long torment,
to kill him is to save him,
the steel will set him free.

PIZARRO
He shall die in his chains,
his torment was too short!
Only his death can save me,
then I shall have peace!
Now, old man, now it is urgent!

Have you understood me?
You’ll give a sign,
then, muffled, I myself will quickly
creep into the cell.
One blow – and he is mute!

ROCCO

Famished in his chains,
he has suffered long torment,
to kill him is to save him,
the steel will set him free.

PIZARRO
He shall die in his chains,
his torment was too short!
Only his death can save me,
then I shall have peace.
(He leaves.)

No.9: Recitative and Aria

LEONORE
(in a state of violent emotion enters from the other side
and with growing alarm watches the departure of
Pizarro and Rocco)
Monster! Where are you hurrying?
What do you plan in your wild fury?
The call of pity, the voice of humanity,
does nothing touch your tiger-mind?
Yet though like ocean breakers
hatred and rage storm in your soul,
in me there shines a rainbow,
that brightly rests on dark clouds.
It looks so calm, so peacefully down,
it reflects old times again,
and my blood flows calm anew.
Come, Hope, let the last star
not forsake the weary!
Brighten my goal;
be it ever so far,
Love will reach it.
I follow an inner compulsion,
I do not falter,
strengthened by the duty
of faithful married love!
O you, for whom I bore everything,
could I but penetrate the place
where evil threw you in chains,
and bring you sweet comfort!
I follow an inner compulsion,
I do not falter, strengthened by the duty
of faithful married love!
(Rocco enters from the garden, Marzelline from the
house.)
Rocco, you have so often promised me to let the poor
prisoners who live above ground into our fortress gar-
den. The weather is so lovely today! The governor
won't come here at this time.

MARZELLINE
O yes! I ask it with him.

ROCCO
Children! Without the governor's permission?

MARZELLINE
But he was talking with you for such a long time. Does
he not owe you a favour, and then he won't take it so
strictly?

ROCCO
A favour? You are right. Marzelline. I can dare to take
this risk. Well then, Jaquino, Fidelio, open the cells.
But I shall go to Pizarro and keep him away by speak-
ing to him in your favour.

(Exit Rocco. Leonore and Jaquino unfasten the
well-locked cell-doors, then withdraw with Marzelline
into the background and sympathetically observe the
gradual entrance of the prisoners.)

No.10: Finale

PRISONERS
O what joy in the open air
to breathe with ease!
Only here, only here is life,
the prison a tomb.

FIRST PRISONER
With trust we will
build on God’s help.
Hope whispers gently to me:
we shall be free, we shall find rest!

ALL OTHERS (aside)
O Heaven! Salvation! What joy!
O Freedom! Freedom, will you return?

SECOND PRISONER
Speak softly, restrain yourselves!
We are spied on by ears and eyes.

ALL OTHERS
Speak softly, restrain yourselves!
We are spied on by ears and eyes.
Speak softly, yes softly!
O what joy! In the open air
to breath with ease!
O what joy!
Only here, only here is life.
Speak softly, restrain yourselves!
We are spied on by ears and eyes.
(The prisoners move away into the garden. Rocco and
Leonore come forward.)

LEONORE
Now say, how did it go?

ROCCO
Quite well, quite well;
I plucked up my courage
and laid it all before him,
and would you believe
what answer he gave me?
The marriage, and that you help me, he will allow;
this very day I’ll take you down to the dungeons.

LEONORE
This very day, this very day!
Oh, what joy, oh, what bliss!

ROCCO
I see your joy.
Just another moment,
then we’ll both go...

LEONORE
Where?

ROCCO
To that man below
to whom for many weeks
I’ve given less and less to eat.

LEONORE
Ha! Will he be released?

ROCCO
Oh, no!

LEONORE
Speak then!

ROCCO
Oh, no!
We must – but how? – set him free!
In an hour he must –
finger to our lips –
be buried by us.

LEONORE
Is he dead, then?

ROCCO
Not yet, not yet.

LEONORE
Is it your task to kill him?

ROCCO
No, my good lad, do not tremble!
Rocco does not hire himself to murder.
The governor himself will come down;
we two will only dig the grave.

LEONORE (aside)
Perhaps to dig my husband’s grave?
What can be more terrible?

ROCCO
I may not sustain him with food;
he’ll be better off in the grave.

We must set to work now,
you must help me, go with me;
hard is the gaoler’s bread.

LEONORE
I follow you, even to death.

ROCCO
In the ruined well
we’ll easily prepare the grave;
believe me, I don’t like doing it,
for you too it is unpleasant, methinks.

LEONORE
It is just that I am not used to it.

ROCCO
I would gladly have spared you,
but for me alone it is too hard,
and our master is so strict.

LEONORE (aside)
Oh, what sorrow!

ROCCO (aside)
I think he is weeping.
(aloud)
No, you stay here, I’ll go alone,
I’ll go alone.

LEONORE
Oh, no, oh, no!
I must see him, I must see
the poor man, even if I must die myself.

BOTH
Oh, let us delay no longer,
we follow our strict duty.
(Jaquino and Marzelline hurry in breathlessly.)

MARZELLINE
O father, hurry!

ROCCO
What’s up with you?

JAQUINO
Delay no longer!

ROCCO
What has happened?

MARZELLINE
Pizarro is following me, full of wrath,
he’s threatening you!

ROCCO
Gently, gently!

LEONORE
Well hurry, then!

ROCCO
Just one word:
tell me, does he know already?

JAQUINO
Yes, he already knows.

MARZELLINE
The officer told him what we
have just allowed the prisoners.

ROCCO
Make them all go back quickly!

MARZELLINE
You know how he rages,
and know his wrath.

LEONORE (aside)
How I rage within,
my blood boils!

ROCCO (aside)
My heart guided me aright
even if the tyrant rages.
(Enter Pizarro with two officers, and sentries.)

PIZARRO
Presumptuous old man, what rights
do you take wantonly upon yourself?
And is it the hired servant’s place
to set the prisoners free?

ROCCO
O sir!

PIZARRO
Speak up!

ROCCO (seeking an excuse)
The coming of spring,

the cheerful warm sunlight,
then...
(composing himself)
...have you taken into account
what else speaks in my favour?
Today is the king’s name-day,
we celebrate it in this way.
(aside to Pizarro)
Down there he dies, but let the others
walk freely to and fro just now;
save your wrath for him!

PIZARRO
Then hurry to dig his grave,
I will have peace and quiet here.
Lock up the prisoners again,
may you never again be rash!

PRISONERS
Farewell, warm sunlight,
quickly you forsake us again!

MARZELLINE
How they hurried to the sunlight,
and sadly part again!

LEONORE, JAQUINO
You hear his word, then do not loiter,
go back into the prison.

PIZARRO
Now, Rocco, delay no longer,
go down into the dungeon!

ROCCO
No, sir, I’ll delay no longer,
I’ll make haste to go down!
My limbs tremble!
O hapless, hard task!

PIZARRO
You shall not return
till I have carried out sentence!

LEONORE
Fear runs through my limbs
lest no judgment overtake the villain!

MARZELLINE
The others are mumbling softly;
delight and joy do not dwell here!

JAQUINO
They ponder this and that;
if only I could understand what each says!

CHORUS
Night already descends,
from which no morning soon will break!
(The prisoners enter their cells; Leonore and Jaquino
lock them in.)

libretto by William Mann

Contents: Cast, overture, introduction; Act One; Act Two