Relayed from the National Museum of Wales

Beethoven's Fidelio had several vicissitudes of fortune before it became a success, and for each new production he wrote a fresh Overture. One of these exists in two different forms, so we may count Fidelio's Overtures as actually five.
The so-called Third Overture (actually the second in order of composition) begins with a short, slow Introduction, and then the vigorous main body of the Overture begins. There are two chief tunes - the very soft and mysteriously-opening one, and a succeeding smoothly-flowing one.
Note the dramatically interrupting Trumpet call in the middle of the Overture (generally performed, in the concert-room, by a player out of sight behind the Orchestra); this represents the crucial moment in the play, when the Minister of State appears - just in time to save the hero from execution.

The web-spinning of a woman, and the weakness of the strong man when love ensnares him - these are the ideas behind Saint-Saens' piece. It will be remembered that Hercules, as a penance for a crime, had to hire himself out for three years. He took service with Omphale, Queen of Lydia, and worked at her side amongst the women - in so uncouth a manner as to win him many a blow. You may hear in this music the whirl of the wheels, the derision of the Queen, and the sorrow of the enslaved hero.

(to 14.00)