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| Giuseppe Verdi operas |
|
• Rigoletto (1851) • Il trovatore (1853) • La traviata (1853) • Les vêpres siciliennes (1855) • Un ballo in maschera (1859) • La forza del destino (1862) • Aida (1871) • Otello (1887) • Falstaff (1893) |
“La forza del destino” by Giuseppe Verdi
The Force of Destiny, Die Macht des Schicksals, La Force du destin, Сила судьбыPremiere / date of written: 22 November 1862
La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It premiered in the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre in St. Petersburg on 22 November [O.S. 10 November] 1862 and was later revised for performances in Milan in 1869.
The story follows Leonora and Alvaro, whose love is shattered when an accidental death caused by Alvaro sets off a tragic chain of events. Leonora’s brother Carlo vows to avenge the family honor, leading to a cycle of fate, revenge, and tragedy that culminates in Leonora’s death.
Musically, the opera is known for its dramatic overture—one of Verdi’s most popular concert pieces—along with arias such as “Pace, pace, mio Dio” and powerful ensembles. Themes of fate, love, and honor dominate the work, making it a cornerstone of Verdi’s mature operatic style.
Libretti
| # | Language | Authors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Italian
  |
Francesco Maria Piave |
| 2 |
German
|
|
| 3 |
English
|
|
| 4 |
French
|
B. Vienne |
| 5 | Russian |
original libretto
line-by-line of the original libretto
History
- 1862 November 10 — World premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s "La forza del destino" at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre, Saint Petersburg (N.S.).
- 1869 February 27 — Revised version of Verdi’s "La forza del destino" was presented at Teatro alla Scala (Milan).
Books
| Year | Title | Description | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | La forza del destino / The Force of Destiny: Side-by-Side Italian–English Opera Libretto | This edition of La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) presents the complete Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, set to music by Giuseppe Verdi. The text appears in a side-by-side Italian–English format, ideal for students, performers, and opera lovers. |
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External links