Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

ACT I

The action takes place in a state prison near Seville during the 17th century. Marzelline, daughter of the chief jailer Rocco, is ironing while Jaquino, the jailer's assistant, declares his love to her. The young girl, who was once in love with him, is now in love with Fidelio, her father's new assistant.

Rocco arrives, followed by Fidelio who is carrying provisions. Marzelline is excited to see him. Seeing his daughter's affection for the young man, her father is very pleased and willing for her to marry as soon as the prison governor, Don Pizarro, gives him permission. Rocco praises the honesty and efficiency of Fidelio (despite the fact that he knows nothing about where he is from and his financial position) and he considers him to be a good match for his daughter. But Fidelio is really Leonore, a noble lady of Seville who has entered the prison disguised as a man in order to find her husband Florestan, who has been missing for at least two years.

Rocco, who is about to go down to the dungeons, mentions that there is a prisoner who has only a few days left to live as his daily ration of bread and water has been reduced on the governor's orders. Fidelio suspects that the dying prisoner could be Florestan, and offers to accompany Rocco and help him in his work. The jailer agrees, but explains that he must ask permission from the governor first.

Rocco goes to see Don Pizarro and hands him several dispatches. One of the dispatches informs him that the minister Don Fernando is to inspect the prison that very day, as he has been informed of certain irregularities that have taken place. The governor is worried that the minister will discover that Florestan, who is thought to be dead, is actually in the dungeons, and he hurriedly decides to do away with him. He orders Rocco to kill him and bury him in a grave. The jailer refuses to do this, saying that it is not his job. He agrees only to dig the grave and says he will inform Don Pizarro when he has finished so that he can kill the prisoner.

Leonore (Fidelio), who has overheard the intentions of the wicked governor, thinks of a plan to save her husband. When Rocco returns, she suggests he lets the prisoners that have committed minor offences leave their cells to take a stroll in the prison garden. The jailer is afraid that the governor will be furious if he finds out, but as it was a promise made to Fidelio some time before, he agrees to the idea. While Jaquino and Fidelio lead the prisoners out to the prison garden, Rocco goes to see Don Pizarro in order to distract his attention and, at the same time, ask him for his consent for Marzelline's marriage and his permission for Fidelio to accompany him to the dungeons. The governor grants him all his requests.

Rocco tells Fidelio that he has obtained permission for him to accompany him to the dungeons, and he explains Don Pizarro's sinister request. Fidelio is horrified at the idea of having to dig a grave for her husband. However, this will be her only chance to find out where he is and rescue him.

Don Pizarro hears of the prisoners strolling in the prison garden without his permission, and vents his anger on Rocco. The jailer apologises and explains that he has let them out on the occasion of the king's saint's day. The prisoners are made to return to their cells and Don Pizarro orders Rocco to quickly carry out his request concerning the prisoner Florestan.

ACT II

SCENE I
The prison dungeon. In one of the most desolate cells, Florestan reflects on his sad unfortunate fate, and thinks he sees his wife Leonore in his dreams, who appears to him to free him from the heavy chains. Rocco and Fidelio go down to the darkest depths of the prison to dig the grave as Don Pizarro has ordered them to do.

They begin to dig, but Florestan moving in his cell inevitably arouses Fidelio's curiosity and she immediately recognises her husband's voice. The prisoner, almost breathing his last breath, begs for water and she gives him a little wine and a piece of bread, with the consent of Rocco. When the grave has been dug, Don Pizarro arrives to kill the prisoner. But Fidelio, who reveals her true identity of Leonore and the wife of Florestan, takes out the pistol she had concealed about her person and throws herself in the way of Don Pizarro. It is now the governor's intention to kill them both, when suddenly a trumpet call rings out announcing the arrival of the minister. Don Pizarro quickly runs off. Leonore and Florestan passionately embrace.

SCENE II
The prison garden. The villagers and the prisoners gather in front of the doors to receive the minister Don Fernando, who has ordered all prisoners to be released. Florestan and Leonore are amongst the crowd, accompanied by Rocco. In the presence of the minister, Rocco condemns the cruel and unjust prison sentence Florestan has been made to endure. Don Fernando immediately recognises his friend whom he thought had died some time ago. Rocco explains the many obstacles Leonore has faced to rescue her husband. The minister is furious and orders Don Pizarro to be punished. Leonore frees her husband from his chains in front of the crowd, and they all praise her heroism.