Thunderous applause and loud cries of bravo greeted the première of Beethoven"s Fidelio at the inaugural performance of the first opera season in Valencia"s new Palau de les Arts. With this spectacular production directed by Pierluigi Pier"Alli, Valencia has put itself back on the map of the international opera world. Dominating the activity on stage are two of today"s most distinguished German singers, Waltraud Meier (Leonore) and Peter Seiffert (Florestan), who have left their mark above all on the Wagner interpretation of our time. And the great Finnish bass Matti Salminen stamped his forceful character on his role as the jailer Rocco.