For the Opera Leonore (1805) – Beethoven

Beethoven wrote a total of four overtures for his only opera, “Leonore”/ “Fidelio”. The so-called Leonore Overture no. 2 is first in the series by chronology and was written in 1805 for the premiere of the opera in Vienna. It follows the concept of a summary of integral moments in the subsequent dramatic work, eschewing a formal closing by means of a recapitulation of the exposition. Instead, the double clarion call, which suggests the resolution of the conflict in the opera, leads directly to transition into the coda. Featuring a new preface, it now appears as a study edition prepared on the basis of the musical text of the Beethoven Complete Edition.