Fidelios Initial Response Essay Example

Fidelios Initial Response Essay Fidelio, Beethovens only opera, is difficult to analyze in the Reception Theory due mainly to the fact that it was released on three separate occasions, changing drastically each time. Its difficult to really understand the general audiences reception to Fidelio, unless analyzing each release separately due to the differences in each piece respectively. Regardless of which form of Fidelio youre discussing, it has become common knowledge that the final version, released in 1814, became widely regarded as an operatic masterpiece over the years. The goal of this paper is to review the general publics response to each of the revised pieces, and attempt to determine when exactly the final work grew to be hailed as a masterpiece. Beethoven took his time over a span of years looking through libretto after libretto to write what he thought would be the greatest opera of the time. Though that sounds a bit arrogant, he was Beethoven; the greatest composer of western music to date, and that was his goal. Finally he stumbled across a libretto inspired by the French technique, which intrigued him, and he jumped at the opportunity. We will write a custom essay sample on Fidelios Initial Response specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Fidelios Initial Response specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Fidelios Initial Response specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer By November of 1805, the initial version of what was called at the time Leonora, was ready to be premiered. A key fact to the reception of this piece however lies in history. In late October 1805, Napoleons armies were bearing down on Vienna (Brener 27). By the 30th they had entered Salzburg, leading to the flea of most persons of wealth and nobility (27). These people were who would have normally made up the audience at a premier such as Beethovens first and last opera. So it was under these horrendous circumstances that Fidelio was performed at the Theatre an der Wien (28). The usual audience had either fled or was unable to reach the theater as the city had been closed to the suburbs (28). The initial version of the opera was a very long, drawn out piece, consisting of three acts. Needless to say under the circumstances the first performance was not acclaimed by either the reviewers or the audiences. After three performances Beethoven withdrew the opera in disgust, for further review (28). It is safe to say the initial result was what no one expected as it was ridiculed by audiences and critics alike. After the initial catastrophe, Beethoven went back to work importing a new librettist, shortening the work, and changing some music as well. By 1806 it was ready to be premiered again, and this time to the usual audience. The performance was extremely anticipated, however again failed in the eyes of the critics; however more importantly to Beethoven was the opinion of the audiences. The audience adored the re-release. The great Hector Berlioz states: Some time afterwards, however, it reappeared; modified in several ways, both as to music and text; and furnished with a new overture. This second trial was a complete success; and Beethoven, loudly recalled by the audience, was brought upon the stage after the first act, and again after the second act; the finale of which produced an enthusiasm hitherto unknown at Vienna. The score of Fidelio was, however, none the less subject to varying degrees of bitter criticism (132). Although the second release of Fidelio was certainly better received than the first, and to the correct audience, Berlioz goes on to say, The fact is that, of these three scores, the first is extremely weak; the second scarcely a work of talent; and the third a masterpiece of genius (133). This statement exemplifies the bulk of Reception Theory research found today. Though the second version of Fidelio was rather widely acclaimed and began to play all over Europe at different theatre companies, it was not until the third and final version, released in 1814, that Fidelio could be called an operatic masterpiece for the ages. Many years and many works after the release of the second version of Fidelio, with yet another librettist and more changes including the addition of an overture, the final version of Fidelio premiered on 23 May 1814. This form and performance catapulted Fidelio into a widely acclaimed masterpiece of opera. Critics and audiences alike would praise the work for years and years to come, as it is still acclaimed as one of the great operas of the time today. Beethoven in response to the much awaited success wrote in his daybook, It is certain that one writes best when one writes for the public (Brener 31). The Reception Theory combines a variety of thoughts on a piece with its reception by the critics and general public at the time, and when the piece is widely acclaimed, which could be much later in time. Often times works that are experimental in one era become hailed as masterpieces in another, thats the whole point of the Reception Theory, to determine when a work makes this crossover. Beethovens Fidelio had the perfect timing as far as this approach states. With the final changes to the piece, it became praised as one of the all-time masterpieces almost immediately. One can only guess at the depth of Beethovens frustration upon being repeatedly told, by even the most well-meaning of his admirers, that he was writing for the future and that he could not be understood in his own day (Brener 31). What Fidelio, accomplished upon completion and acclaim was prove to Beethoven that as often as his pieces were based on where music was going, he could still write for the people of the time, while moving in the direction of the future. What is found upon further research is that Fidelio has grown like a fine wine, though highly praised in 1814 at the conception of the final version; it has only grown in the publics appreciation over time. There is not exact date in which the work crossed over to a masterpiece, essentially from the final versions premiere it was a fact understood by the audience, that this was and would be a great opera for a lengthy period of time.

Complete List of American Revolution Battles

Complete List of American Revolution Battles The battles of the American Revolution were fought as far north as Quebec and as far south as Savannah. As the war became global with the entry of France in 1778, other battles were fought overseas as the powers of Europe clashed. Beginning in 1775, these battles brought to prominence previously quiet villages such as Lexington, Germantown, Saratoga, and Yorktown, forever linking their names with the cause of American independence. Fighting during the early years of the American Revolution was generally in the North, while the war shifted south after 1779. During the war, around 25,000 Americans died (approx. 8,000 in battle), while another 25,000 were wounded. British and German losses numbered around 20,000 and 7,500 respectively. American Revolution Battles 1775 April 19 - Battles of Lexington Concord - Massachusetts April 19, 1775-March 17, 1776 - Siege of Boston - Massachusetts May 10 - Capture of Fort Ticonderoga - New York June 11-12 - Battle of Machias - Massachusetts (Maine) June 17 - Battle of Bunker Hill - Massachusetts September 17-November 3 - Siege of Fort St. Jean - Canada September 19-November 9 - Arnold Expedition - Maine/Canada December 9 - Battle of Great Bridge - Virginia December 31 - Battle of Quebec - Canada 1776 February 27 - Battle of Moores Creek Bridge - North Carolina March 3-4 - Battle of Nassau - Bahamas June 28 - Battle of Sullivans Island (Charleston) - South Carolina August 27-30 - Battle of Long Island - New York September 16 - Battle of Harlem Heights - New York October 11 - Battle of Valcour Island - New York October 28 - Battle of White Plains - New York November 16 - Battle of Fort Washington - New York December 26 - Battle of Trenton - New Jersey 1777 January 2 - Battle of the Assunpink Creek - New Jersey January 3 - Battle of Princeton - New Jersey April 27 - Battle of Ridgefield - Connecticut June 26 - Battle of Short Hills - New Jersey July 2-6 - Siege of Fort Ticonderoga - New York July 7 - Battle of Hubbardton - Vermont August 2-22 - Siege of Fort Stanwix - New York August 6 - Battle of Oriskany - New York August 16 - Battle of Bennington - New York September 3 - Battle of Coochs Bridge - Delaware September 11 - Battle of Brandywine - Pennsylvania September 19 October 7 - Battle of Saratoga - New York September 21 - Paoli Massacre - Pennsylvania September 26-November 16 - Siege of Fort Mifflin  - Pennsylvania October 4 - Battle of Germantown - Pennsylvania October 6 - Battle of Forts Clinton Montgomery - New York October 22 - Battle of Red Bank - New Jersey December 19-June 19, 1778 - Winter at Valley Forge - Pennsylvania 1778 June 28 - Battle of Monmouth - New Jersey July 3 - Battle of Wyoming (Wyoming Massacre) - Pennsylvania August 29 - Battle of Rhode Island - Rhode Island 1779 February 14 - Battle of Kettle Creek - Georgia July 16 - Battle of Stony Point - New York July 24-August 12 - Penobscot Expedition - Maine (Massachusetts) August 19 - Battle of Paulus Hook - New Jersey September 16-October 18 - Siege of Savannah - Georgia September 23 - Battle of Flamborough Head (Bonhomme Richard vs. HMS Serapis) - waters off Britain 1780 March 29-May 12 - Siege of Charleston - South Carolina May 29 - Battle of Waxhaws - South Carolina June 23 - Battle of Springfield - New Jersey August 16 - Battle of Camden - South Carolina October 7 - Battle of Kings Mountain - South Carolina 1781 January 5 - Battle of Jersey - Channel Islands January 17 - Battle of Cowpens - South Carolina March 15 - Battle of Guilford Court House - North Carolina April 25 - Battle of Hobkirks Hill - South Carolina September 5 - Battle of the Chesapeake - waters off Virginia September 6 - Battle of Groton Heights - Connecticut September 8 - Battle of Eutaw Springs - South Carolina September 28-October 19 - Battle of Yorktown - Virginia 1782 April 9-12 - Battle of the Saintes - Caribbean