What a fantastic production. I knew what to expect, I was so impressed by Hamburg's Die Zauberflote, Der Freischutz, Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg and Zar Und Zimmermann, and was expecting their Fidelio to be of a similar standard. And indeed it was. In fact, as well as being an important historical document, it is alongside the 1970(with Gwyneth Jones), 1978(with Gundula Janowitz) and 2002(with Karita Mattila) one of the best performances of Fidelio I've seen. Visually, it looks wonderful, traditional, atmospheric and beautifully mounted, nothing looks too drab. The video directing, picture and sound are good, Zar Und Zimmermann was slightly better in these respects, but it is a little better than the otherwise brilliant Meistersinger. The orchestral playing is faultless, the horns especially are glorious in Komm, Hoffnung, the chorus give a poignant O Welche Lust and Leopold Ludwig's conducting is as affectionate and involved as ever. Anja Silja is a marvellous Leonore/Fidelio, thrilling and moving in equal measures and her voice, even with the orchestra at their loudest, simply gleams. Seeing his Walther and his Florestan here has reassessed my opinion of Richard Cassily, after not caring for his Met Tannhauser(perhaps he was past prime or the role was too punishing for him), because his singing is wonderfully bronze-tinted and his dungeon scene Gott, Welch Dunkel Hier is the best I've ever seen him act. His chemistry with Silja right from the moment where she reveals herself to him positively sizzles. A young Lucia Popp gives her usual vocal silvery purity, and is overall a very charming and musical Marzelline. Erwin Wolhfahrt is an earnest Jacquino, Ernst Wieman is a black-voiced, integral and kindly Rocco(though his money aria is cut), Hans Sotin is appropriately dignified and authoritative and ties with Martti Talvela as the best Fernando I've ever seen and Theo Adam is terrifying as Pizarro. Overall, a must-watch, if you value great singing and acting this is a perfect Fidelio. 10/10 Bethany Cox