Playbill UniverseReviews: What Did Critics Think of La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera?
Mariusz Treliński's new production of Verdi's opera opened Febraury 26.
By
Natan Zamansky
February 27, 2024
Judit Kutasi in La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
Karen Almond / Met Opera
The Metropolitan Opera returned from its midwinter hiatus with a new production of Verdi's La Forza del Destino — and the reviews are in!
La Forza del Destino follows three people whose fates become bound together after a tragic accident. Soprano Lise Davidsen stars as Leonora, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as her brother Don Carlo, and tenor Brian Jagde as her beloved Don Alvaro.
After Leonora's father is accidentally shot, curses are issued, revenge is vowed, and wars are fought as the three try to move past the traumatic event.
Mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi plays the fortune teller Preziosilla, bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi plays the humorous monk Fra Melitone, and bass Soloman Howard plays dual roles as both Leonora's father the Marquis de Calatrava, and Padre Guardiano, the priest with whom she subsequently seeks sanctuary.
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Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
La Forza del Destino has not been performed at the Met since 2006, as a production directed by Calixto Bieito planned for the 2017-18 season was canceled due to budgetary concerns, in keeping with the opera’s reputation for being cursed. For the opera's return to the Met stage, Mariusz Treliński leads a creative team which includes scenic designer Boris Kudlička, costume designer Moritz Junge, lighting designer Marc Heinz, projection designer Bartek Macias, and choreographer Maćko Prusak. Met Opera music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.
Performances of La Forza del Destino continue through March 29. Starting March 21, the role of Leonora will be played by Elena Sitkhina, and the role of Preziosilla will be played by Maria Barakova. The Metropolitan Opera's 2023-24 season continues with revivals of Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, as well three operas by Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Turandot, and La Rondine. Later, the spring season will see the Met premiere of John Adams' El Niño, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz. For more information, visit MetOpera.org
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See Production Photos of La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
See Production Photos of La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
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Lise Davidsen in La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
Karen Almond / Met Opera
Lise Davidsen in La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
Karen Almond / Met Opera
Lise Davidsen in La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
Karen Almond / Met Opera
Lise Davidsen in La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
Karen Almond / Met Opera
Lise Davidsen in La Forza del Destino at the Metropolitan Opera
The piece stars Obie Award winner Jodie Markell as propagandist filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, whose work in service of the Nazis defined the visual identity of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.
The Broadway alum's golden vocals brought Old Deuteronomy from Cats and the Lion from The Wiz to life, along with Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas.
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