La Forza del Destino
(The Force of Destiny)
by Giuseppe Verdi
October 6, 10, 12, 14, 2007
In Italian with English Surtitles
New Production
Libretto by Francesco Piave
Based on the play by Angel Pérez de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas.
One of the grandest Italian operas, the tragic plot is a sprawling epic that covers six years and two countries, a world peopled by beggars, soldiers, monks, pilgrims, peasants and gypsies. Against this backdrop, Leonora's love for the Peruvian Incan, Don Alvaro is unacceptable to her family. They elope; her father pursues them and is killed. Fate buffets the lovers as they are hunted relentlessly by Leonora's brother until the trio is forced to confront what fate and society demand of them.
The plot introduces a rare theme in grand opera: the racism experienced by Don Alvaro which is demonstrated in a remarkable aria about the feelings of an outcast. The score contains some of the most elegant phrases in all of opera, remarkable ensembles and eloquent arias.
Italian soprano Giovanna Casolla returns to the BOC in the role of Leonora. Last seen in Baltimore as Minnie in La Fanciulla del West (2004), Miss Casolla excels in the spinto repertoire and has garnered rave reviews for her portrayals of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Maddalena in Andrea Chénier and La Gioconda. Antonello Palombi plays the role of Don Alvaro. Alvaro's nemesis, Don Carlo, will be sung by American baritone Ned Barth who captivated Baltimore audiences and critics with his performances of Giorgio Germont in La Traviata and Sheriff Jack Rance in La Fanciulla del West. Christian Badea whose BOC triumphs have included Nabucco, Elektra, Tannhäuser, Otello and Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, will conduct.
Tickets available August 27, 2007
Sample Audio
"Solenne in quest'ora" |
"Pace, Pace" |
Leonora – Martina Arroyo; Don Alvaro – Carlo Bergonzi; Don Carlo – Piero Cappuccilli. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Ambrosian Opera Chorus. Conductor – Lamberto Gardelli. Recording – EMI D202319, courtesy of EMI Classics. |
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| CAST | |
| Donna Leonora di Vargas | Giovanna Casolla |
| Preziosilla | Jessie Raven |
| Don Alvaro | Antonello Palombi |
| Don Carlo di Vargas | Ned Barth |
| Marchese di Calatrava | Alexander Savtchenko |
| Melitone | Nikita Storojev |
| Curra | Nicole Biondo |
| Conductor | Christian Badea |
| Stage Director | Paolo Micciché |
 Giovanna Casolla |
 Jessie Raven |
 Antonello Palombi |
 Ned Barth |
 Alexander Savtchenko |
 Nikita Storojev |
 Nicole Biondo |
 Christian Badea |