Théâtre Allemand. Salle du Théâtre Royal italien. Fidelio, opera en 2 actes, musique de Beethoven. - ORIGINAL 1829 PROGRAM FROM THE FIRST FIDELIO PERFORMANCE IN FRANCE

Paris: Imprimerie de Marchand Du Breuil. [1829]. First. Original program from the French premiere of Fidelio on May 30, 1829, performed for three days at the Théâtre Italien, renamed the "Théâtre Allemand" for the occasion.  The performance was part of a touring season of German music drama in its original language conducted by Josef August Röckel (1783 - 1870), the German tenor who had sung the role of Florestan at the premiere of the second version of Fidelio in 1806, the principal roles performed by a German cast including Haitzinger, Fischer, Frtize, Riese, Wieser, and Genee.  Small 8vo. 20 pp, undated, title and cast list on the front, pages 2-20 including descriptive texts for each scene and lyrics in French translation. Loose as issued, bound with string, edges wrinkled, toned, a few small areas of paper loss, overall a very good copy, and an extremely rare survival. Worldcat records only the copy at the BnF. 
"The reasons for its promotion at that theater and subsequent abandonment throw further light on the reception of German works at the theater and figure as well in the growth of interest in Beethoven's larger musical structures throughout the 1820s that would result in the 1831 performance of the Ninth Symphony.  Fidelio was otherwise almost entirely ignored before 1829...and the only other larger-scale work given any exposure in Paris during the decade was the Mass in C, op. 86, the 'Benedictus' and 'Agnus Dei' of which had been performed during the concerts spirituels of April 1824." (Mark Everist, "Music Drama at the Paris Odeon," p. 272) (13215)

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Program, unsigned

Classical Music

Opera

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