La forza del destino facts for kids

La forza del destino (which means The Force of Destiny) is a famous Italian opera in four acts. It was written by the well-known composer Giuseppe Verdi. The story, called a libretto, was first created by Francesco Maria Piave and later updated by Antonio Ghislanzoni. The opera is based on a Spanish play called Don Alvaro o la Fuerza del Sino.

This exciting opera was first shown in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on November 10, 1862. A new, updated version was performed in Milan, Italy, on February 27, 1869. La forza del destino is considered one of Verdi's most impressive works from his middle period. It also has one of the most beautiful and powerful overtures (the music played at the very beginning of an opera).

Main Characters in the Opera

In La forza del destino, there are several important characters who tell the story through their singing. Each character has a specific type of singing voice:

• Leonora - She is the main female character, sung by a soprano (a high female voice).
• Preziosilla - A lively young gypsy woman, sung by a mezzo-soprano (a middle-range female voice).
• Don Alvaro - Leonora's love interest, sung by a tenor (a high male voice).
• Don Carlo - Leonora's brother, sung by a baritone (a middle-range male voice).
• Padre Guardiano - The head of a monastery, sung by a bass (a low male voice).
• Fra Melitone - A friar at the monastery, sung by a baritone.

Images for kids

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  First edition (1862) of the libretto of La forza del destino, Saint Petersburg, with bilingual Italian and Russian text

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  Verdi in 1859

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  Francesco Maria Piave, librettist of the opera

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  Set design for Act 2 Secene 2 by Carlo Ferrario for La forza del destino ( Milan 1869)

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  1860s postcard showing act 4

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  Jose Mardones [es], Enrico Caruso and Rosa Ponselle in a 1918 Metropolitan Opera performance

See also

In Spanish: La fuerza del destino (ópera) para niños