Two years prior to the opening scene, the nobleman Florestan has exposed or attempted to expose certain crimes of the nobleman Pizarro. In revenge, Pizarro has secretly imprisoned Florestan in the prison over which Pizarro is governor. The jailer of the prison, Rocco, has a daughter, Marzelline, and a servant (or assistant), Jaquino. Florestan’s wife, Leonore, came to Rocco’s door dressed as a boy seeking employment, and Rocco hired her. On orders, Rocco has been giving Florestan diminishing rations until he is nearly starved to death. Place: A Spanish state prison, a few miles from Seville; Time: Late 18th century.

Rating: 10

Cast:

Falk

Struckmann

Matthew

Polenzani

Jennifer

Welch-Babidge

Robert

Lloyd

MET

Orchestra

Karita

Mattila

René

Pape

Ben

Heppner

Falk

Struckmann

Matthew

Polenzani

Jennifer

Welch-Babidge

Robert

Lloyd

MET

Orchestra

Karita

Mattila

René

Pape

Ben

Heppner

Falk

Struckmann

Matthew

Polenzani