FULL Leonore 40/45 (Liebermann) Bonn 2021 Senator Blattert Sánchez Kudinov Tzonev

Information on the Performance

• Work Title: Leonore 40/45   
• Composer: Liebermann Rolf   
• Libretto: Heinrich Strobel    Libretto Text, Libretto Index
• Venue & Opera Company: Theater Bonn, Germany  
• Recorded: October 2021
• Type: Staged Opera Live
• Singers: Barbara Senator, Susanne Blattert, Santiago Sánchez, Pavel Kudinov, Martin Tzonev, Joachim Goltz, Katrin Stösel, Christian Specht, Jeongmyeong Lee, Michael Krinner, Takahiro Namiki, Justo Rodriguez, Enrico Döring
• Conductor: Daniel Johannes Mayr  
• Orchestra: Beethoven Orchester Bonn  
• Chorus: Chor des Theater Bonn  
• Chorus Master: Marco Medved  
• Stage Director: Jürgen R. Weber  
• Stage Designer: Hank Irwin Kittel  
• Costume Designer:   
• Lighting Designer: Friedel Grass  

Information about the Recording

• Published by: OperaVision  
• Date Published: 2022  
• Format: Streaming
• Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
• Subtitles: yessubs, ensubs, desubs  
• Video Recording from: YouTube     FULL VIDEO
•  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

Plot
The opera is set partly in Germany and partly in France between 1939 and 1947.

Prelude
Monsieur Émile, the guardian angel, introduces the audience to the plot.

Germany in July 1939: Hermann is listening to a broadcast of Beethoven’s opera “Fidelio” in front of the radio. This is suddenly interrupted because of a special report. A voice announces that men born between 1905 and 1913 must enlist. Hermann’s son Albert is also affected by this.

At the same time in Paris: the conversation between Madame Germaine and her daughter Yvette revolves around the impending war. They agree that this will probably be unstoppable. However, Yvette is not afraid because she trusts in her guardian angel.

1.Act
German troops have occupied Paris. Albert and Yvette meet at a concert in the winter of 1941/1942. Although they belong to the warring nations, they like each other straight away. Yvette’s mother invites the stranger to visit her and her daughter at her home.

Autumn 1943: Albert and Yvette share a great love of music. This brings them closer and confesses their affection.

August 1944: German troops withdraw from Paris. Albert has no choice but to say goodbye to his beloved with a heavy heart.

2.Act
August 1945: Albert is in a French POW camp. His heart is filled with longing for Yvette.

A short time later, in Paris, Monsieur Émile informed Yvette that her lover had been hired to work for the instrument maker Lejeune. He also remarks that he is looking for a secretary. In order to be able to be close to Albert, she applies for this position and is accepted.

Two years later, Yvette and Albert celebrate their wedding with their family members and numerous friends. Among the guests is Monsieur Émile dressed as an angel. To the delight of the guests, he works as a magician. In this way, he ensures that the young couple not only gets new home furnishings, but also a noble grand piano. At the end of the opera, everyone joins in the final chant: “Everything turns out for the better in the best of all worlds.”

Music
The composer uses the twelve-tone technique in his score. But he uses these very freely, so that the music, despite all its modernity, does not frighten even inexperienced opera-goers. In many places it resembles a kind of film music, which often only underscores the plot.