Librettist: Francesco Maria Piave
Based on a Spanish drama by the Duke of Rivas, Don Alvaro o La Fuerza de Sino

Cast of Characters

• The Marquis of Calatrava, (bass)
• Leonora, (soprano) his daughter
• Don Carlo di Vargas, (baritone) his son
• Don Alvaro, (tenor) Leonora's half-Indian suitor
• Curra, (mezzo-soprano) Leonora's Chamber maid
• Preziosilla, (mezzo-soprano) A young gypsy fortune teller
• A Mayor, (bass)
• Master Trabuco, (tenor) A muleteer and peddler
• Father Guardiano, (bass) A Fransican
• Friar Melitone, (baritone) A Franciscan
• A Surgeon, (bass)
• Peasants, Servants, Pilgrims, Soldiers and Friars.

Setting

Around 1850 in Spain and Italy.

Premiere

10h November 1862; St. Petersburg, Russia.

Plot

The Force of Destiny. Leonora and Don Alvaro are preparing to elope when her father enters the room to stop them. He has opposed their marriage because of Don Alvaro's mixed ancestory. In a token of surrender, Alvaro throws his pistol to the floor which discharges. Fatally wounded, the Marquis curses Leonora and the Force of Destiny is thus set in motion.

Leonora escapes and goes to a monastery to repent and spend her last days. Her brother, Don Carlo, has vowed to hunt her and Alvaro down and kill them to vendicate his father's death. Don Carlo and Alvaro meet in Italy during the war, and before Carlo can extract his vengeance, Alvaro escapes. He unknowingly goes to the same monastery as Leonora. One evening, Carlo arrives and the two duel. All three of their paths converge for a final fatal time.

Memorable sections of music

The Overture
Me pelle grina ed orfana
Son Pereda son ricco d'onore
La Vergine degli angeli
Solenne in quest' ora'
Urna fatale del mio destino
Pace, pace mio Dio
The Final Trio

Additional Information:

• Performance History
• Synopsis
• Libretto
• Arias
• Disposizone Scenica - Characters
• Russian Premiere
• The Three Versions
• Pictures
• Discography

Copyright © 1996, Stephen L. Parker.