Beethoven started composing Leonore in January 1804. The subject was part of the genre of ‘rescue operas’ which were very popular at the end of the 18th century. This performance is from Opera Lafayette’s Leonore Project which included a performance of Pierre Gaveaux’s Léonore, ou L’Amour conjugal – the opera on which Beethoven modelled his Leonore. (Naxos)
