Ukrainian director Andriy Zholdak surprises with a new production of "Fidelio" in the Netherlands

Ukrainian director Andrii Zholdak impressed the audience on the stage of the Dutch National Opera with his original staging of Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio". It took place as part of the annual art festival Holland Festival in Amsterdam and became a real cultural phenomenon.

A new approach to the classics

Zholdak, known for his unique style, presented a completely new perspective on classical opera. He abandoned a linear narrative, emphasizing the importance of music and expressionist elements based on Beethoven's score.

"I decided not to tell a story. It's always interesting to take a step into what is essentially a narrative form – instead of just using an expressionist approach read from a Beethoven score, " Zholdak noted.

Outstanding musical accompaniment

Musical accompaniment to the performance was provided by the Royal Orchestra conducted by the outstanding Colombian-Austrian maestro Andres Orozco-Estrada. The main roles were performed by singers known on the world stage: soprano Jacqueline Wagner as Leonora and tenor Eric Cutler as Florestan.

Modern images and decorations

The images in the play are quite extraordinary, as well as the scenery. The story tells about Leonora, who, under the male guise of Fidelio, dares to free her beloved Florestan from the underground prisons of Pizzaro. This plot is filled with hope and love, which are the leading themes in the play.

Acknowledgments and future plans

Andrii Zholdak, although he has been living in Germany since 2006, always emphasizes his Ukrainian identity. Despite his long stay abroad, he continues to actively interact with the Ukrainian art community, holding master classes and lectures. In particular, from June 21 to 28, he plans to hold a master class in Tbilisi.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova