Skip to content
VinylLens
Ludwig van BeethovenFidelio

Vinyl pressings

Fidelio

by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1962

29 pressings7 countriesOperaClassicalClassical

Fidelio was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Fidelio

4 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.

UK

1962
Label and catalog number
Columbia SMS 1014Columbia SAX 2451-2453
Format
LP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo
Runout / matrix

YAX 881stamped side A

YAX 882stamped side B

YAX 883stamped side C

YAX 884stamped side D

Full details of this pressing

UK

1962
Label and catalog number
Columbia 33CX 1804-1806Columbia 33CX 1804-6
Format
LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono
Runout / matrix

XAX2292-1N Gstamped side A

XAX 2293-2N Vstamped side B

XAX 2294-1N Astamped side C

XAX 2295-1N Gstamped side D

Full details of this pressing

Australia

1962
Label and catalog number
Columbia SAXO 2451/3
Format
LP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo
Runout / matrix

YAX 881-8Side 1 Dead wax

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 29 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s6 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1962AustraliaColumbia SAXO 2451/3First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, StereoLP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo
1962FranceColumbia FCX 921 / 923First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · MonoLP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono
1962UKColumbia SMS 1014 / Columbia SAX 2451-2453First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, StereoLP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo
1962UKColumbia 33CX 1804-1806 / Columbia 33CX 1804-6First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · MonoLP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono
1964GermanyColumbia STC 91 206/8 / Columbia YAK 881/6LP, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · PromoLP, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo
1965ItalyColumbia QCX. 10467/68/69Box Set, Album, LPBox Set, Album, LP
1970s8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1972AustraliaWorld Record Club S-5303 / World Record Club S-5304LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinylLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl
1973AustraliaWorld Record Club S-5303 / World Record Club S-5304LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinylLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl
1974AustraliaWorld Record Club S-5303 / World Record Club S-5304LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinylLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl
1975UKHis Master's Voice SLS 5006 / His Master's Voice 0C 191 ○ 00559-61LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, ReissueLP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue
1976AustraliaWorld Record Club R-00901 / World Record Club S-5304LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinylLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl
1977AustraliaWorld Record Club R-00901 / World Record Club R-00902LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinylLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl
1978AustraliaWorld Record Club R-00901 / World Record Club R-00902LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition
1979AustraliaWorld Record Club S-5303 / World Record Club R-00902LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition
Year unknown15 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UnknownAngel Records 3625 C/LLPLP
?FranceLa Voix De Son Maître 2C 167-00559/61 / La Voix De Son Maître C 167-00559/61LP, Box Set, StereoLP, Box Set, Stereo
?GermanyDie Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 149-00 559/61 / His Master's Voice 1C 149-00 559/61LP, Stereo, Box SetLP, Stereo, Box Set
?GermanyColumbia SMC 91 206 / Columbia YAK 881/6LP, Stereo, Repress, Box SetLP, Stereo, Repress, Box Set
?GermanyDie Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 063-00559/61 X / His Master's Voice 1C 063-00559/61 XLP, Reissue, Box SetLP, Reissue, Box Set
?GermanyDie Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 063-00559/61 X / His Master's Voice 1C 063-00559/61 XLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box SetLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set
?GermanyColumbia C 91206/08 / Columbia WCX 1804/06LP, Mono, Box Set · MonoLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono
?GermanyDie Stimme Seines Herrn 1C163-00559/61 / His Master's Voice 1C163-00559/61LP, Stereo, Box SetLP, Stereo, Box Set
?JapanAngel Records 3625 C/LLP, Stereo, Box SetLP, Stereo, Box Set
?UKColumbia SMS 1014 / Columbia SAX 2451-2453LP, Stereo, Repress, Box SetLP, Stereo, Repress, Box Set
?UKColumbia SMS 1014 / Columbia SAX 2451-2453LP, Box Set, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Box Set, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?UKColumbia SMS 1014 / Columbia SAX 2451-2453LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Stereo, Box Set · Test pressingLP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Stereo, Box Set · Test pressing
?USAngel Records 3625 C/L / Book-Of-The-Month Records 21-6450LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition
?USAngel Records 3625 C/LLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?USAngel Records 3625 C/LLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. Fidelio

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Fidelio are there?

29 vinyl pressings of Fidelio are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1962 and 1979.

When was Fidelio first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1962, in UK, Australia, France. One of them is Columbia SMS 1014.

How do I tell if my copy of Fidelio is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMS 1014, 33CX 1804-1806, SAXO 2451/3, FCX 921 / 923) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 881 and YAX 882. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Fidelio on vinyl worth?

It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.

More Ludwig van Beethoven on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of Fidelio worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free