A Forza to reckon with
Experience Giuseppe Verdi’s incomparable opera “La Forza Del Destino,” recorded live from the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York, shown in stunning HD on the big screen at the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, March 16.
One of Verdi’s most ambitious masterpieces, the opera includes scenes of great tragedy, deft comedy, and a score that perfectly reflects these dual elements — from the instantly recognizable overture to soaring arias like Leonora’s “Pace, pace, mio Dio” and Alvaro’s “Oh, tu che in seno agli angeli” and the sublime prayer “La Vergine degli angeli” to the rantings and ravings of the buffoonish Fra Melitone.
Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Mariusz Treliński’s new staging of “La Forza,” the company's first in nearly 30 years. This new production sets the grand tale of ill-fated love, deadly vendettas and family strife in a contemporary world, and makes extensive use of the Met’s turntable stage to represent the unstoppable advance of destiny that drives the opera’s chain of calamitous events.
Soprano sensation Lise Davidsen headlines as the noble Leonora, who flees home after being forced to abandon the man she loves. The distinguished cast also features tenor Brian Jagde in his Live in HD debut as Leonora’s forbidden beloved, Don Alvaro; baritone Igor Golovatenko as her vengeful brother, Don Carlo; mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi as the fortune teller Preziosilla; bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Fra Melitone; and bass Soloman Howard as both Leonora’s father and Padre Guardiano.
The production is sung in Italian with English subtitles and begins at 10 am with a run time of approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes. The two intermissions will include exclusive behind-the-scenes content and cast interviews led by host Nadine Sierra. Tickets range from $15.50 to $25.75. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.