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Subject Area: Music
Topic: Opera and Liberty

SCENE VII.— - Ludwig van Beethoven, Beethoven’ s Opera Fidelio. German Text, with an English Translation [1805]

Edition used:

Beethoven’ s Opera Fidelio. German Text, with an English Translation (Boston: Oliver Ditson, 1864).

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


SCENE VII.—

Parade before the Castle. Enter the Guard, marching; then the Minister,Don Fernando,accompanied on one side byPizarroand Officers. The People crowd around. On the other side appear the State Prisoners, accompanied byJacquinoandMarcellina.—They all throw themselves on their knees before Don Fernando. AfterwardsRocco,withFlorestan,press through the Guard and the People.

Finale.

Chor—der Gefangenen und des Volks.

  • Heil sey dem Tag! Heil sey der Stunde;
  • Da, lang ersehnt, doch unvereint.
  • Gerechtigkeit mit Huld im Bunde,
  • Vor unsers Grabes Thor erschient.

Fer.

  • Des besten Königs Wink und Wille!
  • Führt mich zu Euch, ihr Armen her,
  • Das ich der Frevel Naeht enthülle,
  • Die All’ umfangen schwarz und schwer.
  • Nicht länger knieet sclavisch nieder.
  • Tyrannenstrenge sey mir fern;
  • Es sucht der Bruder seine Brüder,
  • Und kann er helfen, hilft er geru.

Finale.

Chorus—of Prisoners and People.

  • Thanks, thanks, and all hail!
  • To him who comes our chains to sunder.
  • Justice comes, at length, to give us
  • Long-lost liberty!

Fer.

  • Of a gracious King I am the Minister,
  • And of Justice the humble instrument:
  • He desires not to oppress,
  • But to check crimes by fitting punishment.
  • Though under his just anger fallen,
  • His beneficence you shall now experience:
  • From chains and bolts he sets you free,
  • Once more you are at liberty.