Giuseppe Verdi - La forza del Destino

The action takes place in Spain and Italy, about the end of the 18th century.

ACT I:
Drawing Room of the Marquis of Calatrava, in Seville. Don Alvaro, a Peruvian of Inca blood, is in
love with Leonora di Vargas. She has accepted his offer of marriage, but her father, the Marquis of
Calatrava, despises Alvaro as a half-caste and has ordered Leonora never to see him again. The
lovers decide to elope, but on the night of their planned escape they are discovered by the
Marquis. He accuses them of shameful conduct Assuming all of the blame, Alvaro throws away
his pistol and presents his bare chest to the aged nobleman's sword. When the pistol strikes the
floor, however, it explodes and mortally wounds the Marquis. He dies, cursing his daughter.

ACT II
Scene 1: An Inn at Hornacheulos. Leonora, in male disguise, has fled from Sevilla to this mountain
hostelry; she is alone and in despair, having lost all trace of Don Alvaro since the fatal night.
Her uneasiness increases when she recognizes among the motley crowd her brother, Don Carlo,
masquerading as a student, and overhears his threats of vengeance. In the meantime, the gypsy
Preziosilla urges all the men to go to Italy and join the fight against the Austrians.

Scene 2:
The Monastery of Hornacheulos Leonora knocks on the door of the monastery Fra Melitone answers
and in response to the girl's pleas he calls the abbot, Padre Guardiano. Leonora confesses
everything and begs his permission to lead the life of a hermit on one of the nearly caves. He
suggests a cloister, but Leonora remains resolute, and finally, stirred by the woman's devoutness,
Guardiano gives his consent.

Scene 3:
The doors of the monastery chapel swing open, revealing the brilliantly lighted great altar. The
deep tones of the organ unite with the solemn supplication of the kneeling monks and Padre
Guardiano, who prays that a curse descend upon any person who should ever intrude upon or seek
to learn the identity of this stranger. Then Guardiano bids Leonora, already clothed in a
monk's habit, depart to her mountain retreat; there none shall disturb her, for she will be under
the protection of the monastery.

ACT III:
Scene 1: A Wood Near Velletri, Italy. Don Alvaro, believing Leonora dead, has enlisted in the
Spanish army as Don Federico Herreros. He is brooding about his fate when there is a cry for
help in the distance. He rushes of and soon returns with a man he has saved from a gang of
ruffians. It is Don Carlo, who is also using an assumed name. Since the two men never met, neither
recognizes the other, and they become friends. A battle takes place shortly thereafter,
and Don Alvaro, believing him mortally wounded, begs Carlo to swear to perform his last request:
search in his effects for a package of letters and, without reading them, burn them. When Carlo
agrees to do this, Alvaro declares he will die happy. A passing reaction of Don Alvaro's has
made Carlo suspicious of his friend's true identity. He is tempted to open the letters, but there is no
need for that because he discovers elsewhere among the wounded man's belongings a picture
of Leonora. At that moment the surgeon enters to tell Carlo that his friend will live. Carlo utters a
shout of savage joy, for now he can carry out his revenge on both his sister and Alvaro.

Scene 2:
A Military Camp Near Velletri. A patrol enters and then leaves as night begins to turn to dawn.
Alvaro, now restored to health, is joined by Carlo, who reveals his true identity and challenges his
colleague to a duel. Alvaro tries to convince Carlo that he is guiltless of wrongdoings and worthy of
Leonora, but Carlo will not be lieve him and insists they fight it out. Alvaro consents only when Carlo
reveals Leonora is alive and threatens to search her out and take her live instead. The two men
fight furiously until sentries separate them and drag Carlo off. Alvaro leaves, resolving to take
holy vows and end his days in a cloister. The sun rises, and everywhere in the Italian camp
there are signs of bustling activity - soldiers and peasants mill about, peddlers hawk their wares,
Preziosilla plies her trade as a fortuneteller, a contingent of young recruits marches in. An air of
patriotism and merriment prevails.

ACT IV, Scene 1:
The Monastery of Hornacheulos. In the five years that have passed, Don Alvaro - now Padre
Raphael - has become known for his immaculate life and his compassionate kindness towards all
who suffer. The calm of his retreat is broken when Carlo comes and demands to see Padre
Raphael. When Alvaro enters, Carlo coldly presents him with a choice of two swords: they
must fight to the death. The monk refuses to fight; infuriated, Carlo goads Alvaro with the most
venomous insults. Slowly, the benevolent friar becomes once again the fiery man of action. He
prays for self-restraint; Carlo strikes him. Alvaro seizes the weapon, and the men rush out.

Scene 2:
A Wild Spot Near Hornacheulos. On this dark night Leonora, pale and worn yet beautiful, has
emerged from her cavern to pray, still tormented by memories of her ill-fated love. Suddenly she
hears the clash of swords and, frightened, hurries to her grotta.
Carlo is mortally wounded. He begs his enemy, Padre Raphael, to confess him and give him
absolution. This Alvaro will not do as he believes himself accursed. He hurries to summon the "hermit."
Each having believed the other long since dead, the lovers cry out in horror on suddenly
beholding one another. Leonora, finding her brother dying, rushes to embrace him, but Cario, still
unforgiving, stabs her with his last strength. Padre Guardiano, who has sought out the
duelists, now bids Alvaro cease his cursing against fate and humble himself before God. The
heart-rending plaint of the dying Leonora, the despairing lament of Alvaro and the comforting
voice of Guardiano combine to make this one of the most moving scenes in all opera.

CD: Verdi - Price, Tucker, Merrill - La forza Del Destino CD 1

01. Overture    [0:08:06.05]
02. Buona notte, mia figlia    [0:02:32.50]
03. Temea restasse    [0:01:33.32]
04. Me pellegrina ed orfana    [0:04:06.50]
05. M'aiuti, signorina    [0:00:25.48]
06. Ah! per sempre    [0:02:46.40]
07. Dimani si partira    [0:04:05.62]
08. E tardi    [0:02:23.63]
09. Hola, hola, hola    [0:01:20.22]
10. La cena e pronta    [0:02:08.68]
11. Alsuon del tamburo    [0:03:26.12]
12. Padre eterno Signor    [0:04:06.45]
13. Viva la buona compagnia!    [0:02:01.70]
14. Poich'imberbe    [0:03:12.58]
15. Sta bene    [0:02:53.47]
16. Son giunta! Grazie, o Dio!    [0:01:43.45]
17. Madre, Madre, pietosa Vergine    [0:04:51.25]
18. Chi siete?    [0:02:13.28]
19. Chi mi cerca?    [0:06:14.17]
20. Se voi scacciate    [0:06:44.13]

CD: Giuseppe Verdi (Schippers) - La Forza del Destino - cd2
      RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus

01. Il santo nome    [0:08:23.52]
02. La Vergine degli angeli    [0:03:34.40]
03. Attenti al gioco, attenti - ACT 3    [0:04:42.25]
04. La vita č inferno all'infelice    [0:02:59.60]
05. Oh, tu che in seno agl'angeli    [0:03:34.05]
06. Al tradimento    [0:04:41.15]
07. Piano, qui posi    [0:01:49.23]
08. Solenne in quest'ora    [0:04:06.42]
09. Morir! Tremenda cosa!    [0:02:12.20]
10. Urna fatale del mo destino    [0:05:45.40]
11. Compagni, sostiamo    [0:03:03.10]
12. Nč gustare m'č dato    [0:02:04.08]
13. Sleale! Il segreto    [0:06:04.17]
14. Fermi, arrestate!    [0:01:06.00]
15. Lorchč pifferi e tamburi    [0:02:41.53]
16. Qua, vivandiere, un sorso    [0:01:00.05]
17. A buon mercato chi vuol comprare    [0:02:23.72]
18. Pane, pan per caritā    [0:03:15.45]
19. Nella guerra č la follia    [0:02:15.63]
20. Toh, toh! Poffare il mondo!    [0:03:34.37]
21. Lasciatelo ch'el vada    [0:03:33.58]

CD: Giuseppe Verdi (Schippers) - La forza del Destino - cd3
      RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus

01. IV.1.1 Fate la caritā    [0:07:16.15]
02. IV.1.2 Auf! Pazienza non v'ha    [0:03:54.70]
03. IV.1.3 Giunge qualcun, aprite    [0:01:15.60]
04. IV.1.4 Invano Alvaro    [0:03:33.40]
05. IV.1.5 Le minaccie, i fieri accenti    [0:05:43.67]
06. IV.2.1 Pace, pace, mio Dio    [0:05:44.20]
07. IV.2.2 Io muoio!    [0:03:10.53]
08. IV.2.3 Non imprecare, umiliati    [0:05:28.52]