G. Verdi: Overture to La forza del destino NTNUSO, Sigmund Thorp, conductor

When the famous tenor Enrico Tamberlik, regularly with the St. Petersburg Opera, asked Verdi to write an opera for Russia, the composer responded with a Spanish drama by the Duke of Rivas: La forza del destino. The opera was premiered in St. Petersburg in 1862 and the overture is ranked as one of Verdi’s best. It introduces some of the most important themes and ideas from the opera. The brass and bassoons announce the fate idea, followed by themes associated with the destiny of Leonora, Alvaro’s encounter with Carlo, Leonora’s second act prayer, and a subsequent duet.