William Dart: Beethoven opera chillingly relevant today
9 May, 2021 05:00 PM
2 minutes to read
Kirstin Sharpin effortlessly conquered the almost Wagnerian demands of her first-act aria as Fidelio. Photo / Supplied
Kirstin Sharpin effortlessly conquered the almost Wagnerian demands of her first-act aria as Fidelio. Photo / Supplied
A full town hall and the presence of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in the audience augured well for Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra s concert presentation of Fidelio. Beethoven s only opera, in keeping with its times, celebrates the invincibility of the human spirit. Today, its tale of murky, repressive politics is chillingly relevant, well caught when director Jacqueline Coats marched her male chorus down the aisle to form a stark line-up of uniforms across the stage.