Returning to Vienna, the thirty-five-year-old Beethoven responded to his growing deafness by surrounding himself with work. He thought an opera would be a good endeavor.
In a groundbreaking move, he composed an opera - originally called Leonore (and later reworked as Fidelio) - with a female lead. Unfortunately, Leonore opened to a small crowd, even though Beethoven used a famous singer of the day - Anna Milder - to perform the main role.
Beethoven, once again, had to endure a major disappointment.
Clip from “Beethoven,” a 2005 BBC television production, featuring Charles Hazlewood and starring Paul Rhys as Beethoven. Copyright, BBC, all rights reserved. Clip provided here as fair use for educational purposes.
Online, courtesy BBC Worldwide Channel at YouTube.
Key Cast Members:
Ludwig van Beethoven
Countess Giulietta Guicciardi
Stephan von Breuning
Johanna van Beethoven
Himself - Presenter
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