News

Press Release: Live Cinema screening of The Royal Opera’s “Fidelio” – April 29

The Live Cinema Series screening of the current The Royal Opera ‘s Fidelio on Wednesday, April 29 at Gesa Power House Theatre was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions at The Royal Opera.

Beethoven’s only opera is a considered to be a masterpiece, an uplifting story of risk and triumph. In this new production, conducted by Antonio Pappano, Jonas Kaufmann plays the political prisoner Florestan, and Lise Davidsen his wife Leonore (disguised as “Fidelio”) who daringly sets out to rescue him. Set in strong counterpoint are the ingredients of domestic intrigue, determined love and the cruelty of an oppressive regime. The music includes the famous Act I Quartet, the Prisoners’ Chorus and Florestan’s impassioned Act II cry in the darkness and vision of hope. Tobias Kratzer’s new staging brings together the dark reality of the French Revolutionary “Terror” and our own time to illuminate Fidelio’s inspiring message of shared humanity.

Filmed during a live event, the Live Cinema Series broadcasts offer audiences an equivalent to the best seat in the house, with incredibly detailed close-ups of the performers. The series is sponsored in part by Shakespeare Walla Walla.
This screening of Fidelio has an approximate runtime of 3 hours, and will be performed in German, with English surtitles. Beer, wine, popcorn, and snacks will be available for purchase, and may be taken into the theater.


The 2020 Live Cinema Series is supported by Shakespeare Walla Walla, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that aims to make Shakespeare and theater approachable and entertaining to students in eastern Washington and Oregon. 

Shakespeare Walla Walla logo


The 2020 Gesa Power House Theatre Season is sponsored by:

   Coldwell Banker First Realtors   Foundry Vineyards    Walla Walla Union-Bulletin logo

Courtyard Marriott, KAPP-KVEW TV, Inland Cellular

McCurley Integrity Toyota of Walla Walla, Northwest Public BroadcastingPacific Power

Additional support provided by:
Walla Walla County, Port of Walla Walla, City of Walla Walla

Each Coldwell Banker Office is Independently Owned and Operated


About the Gesa Power House Theatre

The historic Gesa Power House Theatre is a 300-seat performing arts venue, located in downtown Walla Walla. The 120-year-old building was once the Walla Walla Gas Plant, built to produce coal gas used to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design of the theatre was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England.

The Gesa Power House Theatre is on the Washington State Building Preservation Commission list of State historic buildings and on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue also hosts a variety of other cultural events, musical concerts, and private events (including weddings).

For additional marketing and media information, including interviews and hi-res images, contact:

Bradley Nelson
Media Contact
Phone: 509.529-6500
webmaster@phtww.org

Gesa Power House Theatre
111 North Sixth Ave.
Walla Walla, Washington 99362

Season Sponsors


Foundry VineyardsWalla Walla Union-Bulletin logo
Pacific Power logoWW Valley Honda logo

Additional support provided by
Walla Walla County, Port of Walla Walla, City of Walla Walla, City of College Place

Each Coldwell Banker Office is Independently Owned and Operated