Giuseppe Verdi's La Forza del Destino
Martin Kušej (stage director), Asher Fisch (conductor) — With Anja Harteros (Donna Leonora), Ludovic Tézier (Don Carlo), and Jonas Kaufmann (Don Alvaro)
Thank you for your understanding.
Cast
Martin Kušej — Stage director
Martin Zehetgruber — Scenography
Heidi Hackl — Costume designer
Reinhard Traub — Lighting
Vitalij Kowaljow — Marchese di Calatrava / Padre Guardiano
Anja Harteros — Donna Leonora
Ludovic Tézier — Don Carlo di Vargas
Jonas Kaufmann — Don Alvaro
Nadia Krasteva — Preciosilla
Renato Girolami — Fra Melitone
Heike Grötzinger — Curra
Christian Rieger — An alcalde
Francesco Petrozzi — Mastro Trabuco
Rafał Pawnuk — A Surgeon
Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Asher Fisch — Conductor
Program notes
Soprano star Anja Harteros and world-famous tenor Jonas Kaufmann headline this spectacular 2014 production of Verdi's La Forza del destino, superbly staged by Martin Kušej at the National Theatre Munich! Spanish noblewoman Donna Leonora (Harteros), daughter of a marquis, is forbidden from seeing the man she loves, the South American noble Don Alvaro (Kaufmann), because of racist attitudes toward his Inca background. Throughout this celebrated opera, Verdi spotlights class contempt and racial prejudice, themes that are as timely in the 21st century as when the work premiered in 1862.
This staging brings together three of today's most famous operatic voices: Anja Harteros, Jonas Kaufmann, and baritone Ludovic Tézier as Don Carlo, Leonora's brother—who complements Kaufmann perfectly in the famous Act III duet between Carlo and Alvaro. Kušej plays cleverly on the chiaroscuro effect of Martin Zehetgruber's sets, striking and somber, which makes the final act's white crosses stand out even more starkly as a symbol of constant penitence. Asher Fisch capably leads the Bayerisches Staatsorchester in Verdi's stupendous score, accompanying the singers impeccably without ever overpowering their excellent performances.
This is just one of hundreds of stunning operas available on medici.tv, the web's leading classical music streaming platform!
