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Fidelio, Beethoven’s simple and sublime opera, presupposes a belief in a set of values and their connection with action which it is hard for most of us to accept, possibly even to take seriously. Yet a great performance of Fidelio is inspiring enough to make you reconsider your scepticism, and that is what we had at the Barbican last week, in concert, with distinguished soloists and the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra under Colin Davis. He has always been a great exponent of the opera, and it’s odd that he has never before recorded it — these two performances will yield a recording on the LSO’s own label.
An odd thing is that seven months ago there was a concert performance, also in the Barbican, with largely excellent forces, including the same wonderful singer, Christine Brewer, in the title role, and Charles Mackerras conducting, which was lively but to me (though it was received with wild enthusiasm) mainly unaffecting.
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