Amidst the many stories of strong and heroic men, a work where true strength and resolution are embodied by a woman – even if she must disguise herself as a man to achieve her goal – always raises fascinating questions.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s only opera brings together multiple traditions: it incorporates the Singspiel (a musical drama with spoken dialogue), an almost fairy-tale-like happy ending, the legacy of Viennese classicism, and a foreshadowing of Romantic grandeur.

At the same time, it stands as one of the most iconic examples of rescue opera, in which a wife, Leonore – disguised as Fidelio – fights to save her unjustly imprisoned husband, Florestan.

The OPERA follows a long-standing tradition by collaborating with major international opera houses or adopting productions to offer the Budapest audience a taste of European performances.

Following last year’s Don Giovanni from Berlin, this time it presents a production from London’s Royal Ballet and Opera, directed by Tobias Kratzer, the director of the Hamburg Opera from the 2025/26 season.

His staging masterfully blends traditional and modern elements in an exciting way, under the baton of Péter Halász. The production was a resounding success in London, making it a great privilege that it will be the Budapest audience to experience it first internationally outside the UK.

Place: Opera House Budapest

Address: 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 22