And this is coming from a huge opera and Verdi fan. While it is not my favourite of Verdi's many operas(I have yet to hear or see one I dislike), La Forza Del Destino is amazing with a compelling story and some of Verdi's most beautiful music.
Verdi is my all-time favourite opera composer, and the music here shows why. Not just the overture, but also Pace, Pace, Mio Dio and Invano Alvaro. But my personal favourite bits are Morir Tremenda Cosa..Uma Fatale(particularly for its very stirring and goose bump-inducing cabaletta) and especially the poignant and haunting Solenne in quest' ora.
La Forza Del Destino's story is compelling. Perhaps not as dramatic as Aida or as complex as Otello, but it is interesting and full of emotional impact. I always get the chills when Carlo swears to destroy Alvaro and during their duel, and I also find it hard not to get weepy at the end and in Solenne in quest' ora.
This 1984 production in my opinion is superb and one of my favourite productions of any of Verdi's operas, and I have seen a lot. Kirk Browning directs efficiently, evident particularly during Alvaro and Carlo's duel, and the fine sets and extravagant costumes highly impress as do the interesting camera angles. The orchestral playing is also brilliant, as is the conducting.
The acting and singing are exceptional. I love Leontyne Price, she has such a rich, warm and beautiful voice that encompasses a vast vocal and dynamic range as well as being surprisingly even. I love her too for her sincere acting skills, which is evident I think in Aida, a role I think she excels at. Here as Leonora, I agree she is just stunning. Her warm voice and sincere acting are put to perfect use, most notably in Pace, Pace, Mio Dio.
Giuseppe Giacomini is very effective as Alvaro. Sometimes he can be inconsistent, but when he is good(ie. his Si Pel Ciel duet with Sherrill Milnes, he actually manages to do the impossible, he drowns Milnes out in that) he is fantastic. When I first heard him, the first thing I remember when hearing his voice was my jaw dropping, it's so powerful. While his acting is just above decent, the singing is superb, and it was a good thing that he sang the beginning of Solenne in quest' ora with enough intensity without sounding as though he was riding into battle rather than dying from his wounds, the latter of which is what it is supposed to be like, even if Nucci gives more musical shape.
Speaking of Leo Nucci, he is excellent. I may be biased seeing as he is one of my favourite baritones alongside Fischer-Dieskau, Milnes, Warren, Merrill and Cappuccilli, and his Don Carlo thankfully doesn't disappoint. He is in great voice and he does command the stage very, very well, which may account for why his cabaletta gave me goosebumps. Bonaldo Giaotti and Isola Jones round off the support cast with aplomb. The more minor roles are well sung and acted too.
In conclusion, superb production and worth watching for Price alone. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Verdi is my all-time favourite opera composer, and the music here shows why. Not just the overture, but also Pace, Pace, Mio Dio and Invano Alvaro. But my personal favourite bits are Morir Tremenda Cosa..Uma Fatale(particularly for its very stirring and goose bump-inducing cabaletta) and especially the poignant and haunting Solenne in quest' ora.
La Forza Del Destino's story is compelling. Perhaps not as dramatic as Aida or as complex as Otello, but it is interesting and full of emotional impact. I always get the chills when Carlo swears to destroy Alvaro and during their duel, and I also find it hard not to get weepy at the end and in Solenne in quest' ora.
This 1984 production in my opinion is superb and one of my favourite productions of any of Verdi's operas, and I have seen a lot. Kirk Browning directs efficiently, evident particularly during Alvaro and Carlo's duel, and the fine sets and extravagant costumes highly impress as do the interesting camera angles. The orchestral playing is also brilliant, as is the conducting.
The acting and singing are exceptional. I love Leontyne Price, she has such a rich, warm and beautiful voice that encompasses a vast vocal and dynamic range as well as being surprisingly even. I love her too for her sincere acting skills, which is evident I think in Aida, a role I think she excels at. Here as Leonora, I agree she is just stunning. Her warm voice and sincere acting are put to perfect use, most notably in Pace, Pace, Mio Dio.
Giuseppe Giacomini is very effective as Alvaro. Sometimes he can be inconsistent, but when he is good(ie. his Si Pel Ciel duet with Sherrill Milnes, he actually manages to do the impossible, he drowns Milnes out in that) he is fantastic. When I first heard him, the first thing I remember when hearing his voice was my jaw dropping, it's so powerful. While his acting is just above decent, the singing is superb, and it was a good thing that he sang the beginning of Solenne in quest' ora with enough intensity without sounding as though he was riding into battle rather than dying from his wounds, the latter of which is what it is supposed to be like, even if Nucci gives more musical shape.
Speaking of Leo Nucci, he is excellent. I may be biased seeing as he is one of my favourite baritones alongside Fischer-Dieskau, Milnes, Warren, Merrill and Cappuccilli, and his Don Carlo thankfully doesn't disappoint. He is in great voice and he does command the stage very, very well, which may account for why his cabaletta gave me goosebumps. Bonaldo Giaotti and Isola Jones round off the support cast with aplomb. The more minor roles are well sung and acted too.
In conclusion, superb production and worth watching for Price alone. 10/10 Bethany Cox
