Reflection on the Inauguration of President Obama: Fidelio

[Jack Rabbit]

Run time: 09:35 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC4rRi1DxKU   Posted on YouTube: December 29, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: January 20, 2009 By DU Member: Jack Rabbit Views on DU: 424

 
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Video 1
Video 2

The finale of the opera Fidelio by Beethoven
New York Metropolitan Opera conducted by James Levine

We pick up the story with the overthrow of the tyrant Don Pizarro and the freeing of his political prisoners, including Florestan, whose faithful wife, Leonore, came to his aid disguised as a servant boy named Fidelio.

The scene shows the celebration of the released prisoners and townspeople, the reunion of Florestan and Leonore after Leonore cuts Florestan's bounds. The ensemble sings Heil sie dem Tag! Florestan asks the King's minster, Don Fernando, to take care of the poor people of the town (Wohlan, so helfet! Helft den Armen!) In the second video, which concludes the opera, Leonore is celebrated as the hero of the hour (Wer ein holdes Weib errungen).

Let us on this day celebrate the end of tyranny and the rebirth of American democracy and freedom. Heil sie dem Tag! (Hail to the day!)

[Jack Rabbit]

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