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Beethovenʼs *Fidelio*
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Beethovenʼs *Fidelio*
I asked ChatGPT4o: "*Fidelio* has several overtures. Were these overtures actually used during Beethovenʼs performances of *Fidelio*?"
Beethovenʼs opera *Fidelio* has several overtures, all of which were composed by Beethoven himself for different performances and revisions of the opera. Below is an explanation of each overture and how it was used.
Types of Overtures and Their Usage
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*Fidelio* Overture (Op. 72b):
- This overture was composed for the final 1814 version of the opera. It is the standard overture currently associated with *Fidelio* as it is widely known today.
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*Leonore* Overture No. 1 (Op. 138):
- This overture was composed for the 1807 revision but was ultimately not used. It was later published and became known as *Leonore* No. 1.
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*Leonore* Overture No. 2 (Op. 72a):
- This overture was composed for the opera’s premiere in 1805. At that time, the opera was known as *Leonore*, and this overture was used for the premiere performance.
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*Leonore* Overture No. 3 (Op. 72b):
- This overture was composed for the 1806 revision. It is very grand and is often performed in concert settings or separately from the opera. Although it was not used as the final overture for the opera, it gained popularity as a standalone concert overture.
Summary
- Premiere (1805): *Leonore* Overture No. 2
- 1806 Revision: *Leonore* Overture No. 3
- 1807 Revision (Unused): *Leonore* Overture No. 1
- Final Version (1814): *Fidelio* Overture
Beethoven revised *Fidelio* multiple times, composing a new overture for each version. The *Fidelio* Overture was used for the final 1814 performance and is now recognized as the standard overture. The other *Leonore* overtures were composed for different stages of the operaʼs revisions but were not used in the final version.