Rescue opera tradition that would influence German Romantic opera and French grand opera. The most famous rescue opera is Ludwig van Beethoven's "Fidelio". "Rescue opera" was not a contemporary term. Dyneley Hussey used the term in English in 1927 as a translation of Karl M. Klob's 1913 reference to "Fidelio" as "das sogenannte Rettungs- oder Befreiungsstück" in "Die Oper von Gluck bis Wagner". David Charlton believes that rescue opera is not an authentic genre, and that the concept was coined to make what he believes is a nonexistent connection between Beethoven's work and French opera. Patrick J. Smith, on the other hand,
Transatlantic (opera) Transatlantic (opera) Transatlantic (aka "The People's Choice") is a Grand Opera in 3 acts by George Antheil written in 1928 to a libretto by the composer. It was premiered in Frankfurt on May 25, 1930. Though a critical success the work ran for only 6 performances and was not performed again during Antheil's lifetime. It has been subsequently revived in 1998 (Minnesota) and 2002 (Flensburg, Germany). The work is scored for a large orchestra with soloists and chorus. The plot is a political satire in which a corrupt American oil baron (Ajax) recruits a charismatic, enthusiastic, cooperative man (Hector Jackson)