"Fidelio" is Beethoven's only opera. The story is based on a historical event that, as the French poet J.N. Bouilly states, took place in Tours. What fascinated Beethoven was the grand idea: Leonore's unwavering loyalty to her husband Florestan, whom she rescued from prison at the risk of her own life. When the opera—originally intended to be called "Leonore"—finally premiered in Vienna on May 23, 1814, it had been nearly 12 years in the making: Beethoven composed no less than four overtures and three different versions for "Fidelio." This book includes the libretto along with introductory comments by Kurt Pahlen. He provides insights into the musical as well as the external and internal dramatic events of the opera, highlighting its compositional structure and thematic connections. A brief summary of the plot and an overview of the work's history place it within the broader context of the composer's oeuvre and biography, offering a comprehensive, richly illustrated introduction.