Written in 1814, the Fidelio Overture was the fourth and final version chosen to open Beethoven's only opera by the same name. This string arrangement transposes the original key of E Major into the much more playable key of D Major. It retains the original opening which alternates between powerful majestic bursts and lyrical harmonic progressions while finishing with the energetic presto to the end. The optional timpani gives this arrangement a symphonic quality that closely resembles the original.