e heart of Rocco, the
jailer, but that of his daughter Marcelline, who falls in love with the
gentle youth and neglects her former lover Jaquino. Fidelio persuades
Rocco to let her help him in his office with the prisoners. Quivering
with mingled hope and fear she opens the prison gates, to let the state
prisoners out into the court, where they may for once have air and
sunshine.

But seek as she may, she cannot find her husband and in silent despair
she deems herself baffled.

Meanwhile Pizarro has received a letter from Sevilla, announcing the
Minister's forthcoming visit to the fortress. Pizarro, frightened at
the consequences of such a call, resolves to silence Florestan for
ever. He orders the jailer to kill him, but the old man will not
burden his soul with a murder and refuses firmly. Then Pizarro himself
determines to kill Florestan, and summons Rocco to dig a grave in the
dungeon, in order to hide all traces of the crime.

Rocco, already looking upon the gentle and diligent Fidelio as his
future son-in-law, confides to him his dreadful secret, and with
fearful forebodings she entreats him to accept her help in the heavy
work. Pizarro gives his permission, Rocco being too old and feeble to
do the work quickly enough if alone; Pizarro has been rendered furious
by the {80} indulgence granted to the prisoners at Fidelio's entreaty,
but a feeling of triumph overcomes every other, when he sees Rocco
depart for the dungeon with his assistant.

Here we find poor Florestan chained to a stone; he is wasted to a
skeleton as his food has been reduced in quantity week by week by the
cruel orders of his tormentor. He is gradually losing his reason; he
has visions and in each one beholds his beloved wife.

When Leonore recognizes him, she well-nigh faints, but with a
supernatural effort of strength she rallies, and begins her work. She
has a piece of bread with her, which she gives to the prisoner and with
it the remainder of Rocco's wine. Rocco, mild at heart, pities his
victim sincerely, but he dares not act against the orders of his
superior, fearing to lose his position, or even his life.

While Leonore refreshes the sick man, Rocco gives a sign to Pizarro,
that the work is done, and bids Fidelio leave; but she only hides
herself behind a stone-pillar, waiting with deadly fear for the coming
event and decided to save her husband or to die with him.

Pizarro enters, secretly resolved to kill not only his f