Leonora (opera) Leonora (opera) Leonora, ossia L’amore coniugale ("Leonora or Conjugal Love") is an opera (specifically a "dramma semiserio") in two acts by the Italian composer Ferdinando Paer. The libretto, by Giovanni Schmidt, is based on "Léonore ou L’Amour conjugal" (1794) by Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, which was also the source of Beethoven's "Fidelio". Beethoven himself owned a score of Paer's opera and it is believed to have had some influence on his work. "Leonora" was first performed at the Kleines Kurfürstliches Theater, Dresden on 3 October 1804 with the composer's wife singing the title role. Leonora disguises herself as a man in order
Fidelio the beautiful weather. Marzelline similarly begs him, and Rocco agrees to distract Pizarro while the prisoners are set free. The prisoners, ecstatic at their temporary freedom, sing joyfully ("O welche Lust"—"O what a joy"), but remembering that they might be caught by the prison's governor Pizarro, are soon quiet. After meeting with Pizarro, Rocco reenters and tells Fidelio that Pizarro will allow the marriage, and Fidelio will also be permitted to join Rocco on his rounds in the dungeon ("Nun sprecht, wie ging's?"—"Speak, how did it go?"). Rocco and Fidelio prepare to go to Florestan's cell, with the knowledge that