Verdi’s
La Forza del Destino
NEW PRODUCTION
Live: Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m.
Encore: Wednesday, March 13 at 3:00 p.m.
There will be a pre-opera talk led by John Steinbrunner one hour before the LIVE performance on Saturday.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin (Conductor), Lise Davidsen (Leonora), Judit Kutasi (Preziosilla), Brian Jagde (Don Alvaro), Igor Golovatenko (Don Carlo di Vargas), Patrick Carfizzi (Fra Melitone), Soloman Howard (Marquis of Calatrava/Padre Guardiano)
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen, following a string of recent Met triumphs, in her role debut as the noble Leonora.
Director Mariusz Trelinski delivers the company’s first new Forza in nearly 30 years, setting the scene in a contemporary world. The cast also features tenor Brian Jagde as Don Alvaro, baritone Igor Golovatenko as Don Carlo, mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Preziosilla, bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Fra Melitone, and bass Soloman Howard as both Leonora’s father and Padre Guardiano.
Act 1
Leonora plans to elope with Alvaro against her father’s wishes. Alvaro arrives. The marquis storms in, and Alvaro attempts to make peace by throwing down his pistol. The weapon goes off, killing the marquis.
Act 2
Leonora is in flight from her brother, Carlo. Preziosilla sings a hymn to war, and Carlo tells his own story. Leonora seeks refuge at a monastery. Padre Guardiano offers her sanctuary, and Leonora goes off to a hermitage.
Act 3
Alvaro rescues Carlo from a brawl. Giving false names, they pledge undying friendship. Alvaro is wounded in battle. When Carlo tells him he has won the Cross of Calatrava, Alvaro shudders at the name. Alvaro entrusts to him a letter, saying that it is to be burned unopened at his death. In Alvaro’s possessions, Carlo discovers Leonora’s portrait and realizes that his friend is in fact his enemy. When he learns that Alvaro will survive, he rejoices at the thought of being able to triumph over his enemy. Preziosilla, soldiers, and local peasants sing of the war. Carlo reveals his identity to Alvaro and challenges him to a duel. A patrol separates them, and Alvaro resolves to enter a monastery.
Act 4
Carlo arrives at the monastery and goads Alvaro into a duel. Leonora hides when she hears fighting. Alvaro deals Carlo a fatal blow. Alvaro is reunited with Leonora. She tends Carlo, who stabs her. As she dies, Leonora urges Alvaro to seek salvation in God.
The 2023-2024 Met Live Opera season in Sedona is generously sponsored by Bea Hanks, Chris Fladlien and Jim Dunne.
The season is dedicated in loving memory to Marc DuCharme.