La forza del destino

Giuseppe Verdi and Francesco Maria Piave wrote the popular Italian opera La forza del destino ('The Force of Destiny') for performance in 1861. Piave's libretto was based on Angel de Saavedra's 1835 Spanish drama Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino, and the action takes place in Italy and Spain around 1750. The work's delayed first performance was on 22 November 1862 in St Petersburg.

The opera went through several revisions, and by 1867 had been performed in Buenos Aires, London, New York and Vienna. The version first used at La Scala on 27 February 1869 is normally performed, and the overture is often performed separately, at concerts.

A selection of articles about La forza del destino

Ensemble. Star Wars - Giuseppe Pennisi recommends listening to but not watching Maggio Musicale Fiorentino's production of Verdi's 'La forza del destino'

Ask Alice - On 'La Forza del Destino', music education and realpolitik, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

DVD Spotlight. A Striking Performance - Verdi's 'La forza del destino', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the gypsy and her confederates do Verdi proud ...'

DVD Spotlight. The Heart of Opera - Giuseppe Verdi's 'La forza del destino', reviewed by Maria Nockin. '... a rhythmically alert, exciting performance ...'

Ensemble. Lively Playing - A concert by Zephyr, appreciated by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin