Poetry, dance, and music combined in the opera "La forza del destino" by Verdi at Coliseu Porto Ageas, on 26 October

The Italian opera "La forza del destino" ["The Force of Destiny], by Giuseppe Verdi is presented at Coliseu Porto Ageas, 26 October, at 8pm.

This is a joint production of Coliseu Porto Ageas and São Carlos National Theatre (TNSC).

Nothing quite compares to an opera and the work (Italian meaning of opera) it encompasses: acting, scenery, costumes and ballet or dance.

Soprano Julianna Di Giacomo and tenor Kristian Benedikt take on the romantic couple Leonora/Alvaro. The libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on a Spanish drama, Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino, by Ángel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of Rivas.

"La forza del destino" is frequently performed, and the overture (the revised version of the opera) is part of the standard repertoire for orchestras, often played as the opening piece at concerts.

Don Alvaro is a young nobleman from South America. He falls in love with Donna Leonora, the daughter of the Marquis of Calatrava, who, in turn, is determined that his daughter shall marry only a man of the highest birth.

Leonora is deeply in love with Alvaro and she determines to give up her home and country in order to elope with him. But this is a dramatic love story and the consequences are tragic.

Verdi and librettist Francesco Maria Piave based their story on the dramatic play by Ángel de Saavedra, "Don Alvaro, o fuerzo del sino". Together, they wrote a four-act play, which has acquired a reputation for being cursed, following some ill-fated events, namely in 1960 at the Metropolitan Opera, the renowned baritone Leonard Warren collapsed and died during a performance of the opera.

The thought malediction supposedly kept Luciano Pavarotti from ever performing the opera, and tenor Franco Corelli followed trivial rites during performances to avoid bad luck.

Coliseu Porto Ageas had presented "La traviata", in 2018, which sold out Lisbon and Porto theatres and "Turandot", which in 2017 put an end to 33 years absence of São Carlos National Theatre in the Coliseu.

Tickets cost between 20€ and 50€ and are available as of 26 July at Coliseu Porto Ageas, the Blueticket and local venues.

Discounts: 20% Amigos Coliseu, 10% for children aged 6-12 and for persons over the age of 18, 10% for music students.

See here for further information.