The opera “La forza del destino” (The Power of Destiny) by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was finished in 1862. A work of the composer's late period, it represents a transitional stage in Verdi's stylistic development, combining traditional elements with portents of the future.

Motivated by a commission from the Imperial Opera in St. Petersburg - and probably also by the urge to write a truly successful opera - Verdi applied all the expressive means at his disposal.

The result is a work rich in contrasts. Tragedy and comedy, grand outbursts of passion, multicolored tableaux, merry camp scenes: all unite with the gloomy plot to produce a work of enormous explosive force.

The same range and variety are found in compressed form in the overture, ensuring a maximum amount of pleasure for performers. (Joachim Linckelmann)