Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven’s hero Florestan in the opera Fidelio laments the loss of his liberty for speaking the truth to power (1805)

Found in: Beethoven’s Opera Fidelio. German Text, with an English Translation

In Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio (1805), the hero Florestan is imprisoned and laments the loss of his liberty for speaking truth to power. He awaits his wife Leonora who comes to rescue him

Literature & Music

Alas! what darkness dense! What horrid stillness! Here in this dark tomb, is nothing known But my deep anguish! Oh, most cruel torture! Oh, Heavenly Providence, how much longer Will this my misery last!

In the bright morning of life My liberty, alas! was lost: These chains are the reward Of true and open speaking. But what avails my lamentations? Hopeless is my condition: The only solace for my torments Rests on my conscious innocence.