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Giuseppe VerdiLa Forza del Destino Overtureb. October 9 or 10, 1918, Parma, Italy
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Biography and Program Notes
The Composer
Giuseppe Verdi was born at Le Roncole, near Bussetto, in the province of Parma, Italy, on October 9 or 10, 1813, and died in Milan on January 27, 1901. He was an Italian composer, mainly of opera, and one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his music themes have long since taken root in popular culture. Verdi’s masterworks dominate the standard opera repertoire of the present century.
The Opera
La Forza del Destino (The Force of Destiny) to a libretto by Francesco Piave in 1862 on a commission from the Imperial Theater of St. Petersburg, where it was first performed on November 10, 1862. La Forza del Destino is based on a Spanish play so full of unlikely coincidences that it is hard to summarize the plot with a straight face. Still, Verdi’s music makes it a powerful and vivid theatrical experience. The story of the opera is dominated by the workings of fate or destiny, much like Greek tragedies where one unfortunate decision or incident seals the fate of the character.
The Overture
The Overture was composed for a revised version in 1869. The score calls for flute and piccolo; two each of oboes, clarinets, and bassoons; four horns; two trumpets; three trombones and bass trombone; tuba; timpani; bass drum; two harps; and strings. Seven years after the premiere, Verdi rewrote the ending of the opera and added the Overture, which offers a musical summary of its music. The working of fate is marked by a melodic figure heard in the Overture immediately after the opening summons to attention: a triplet upbeat and a sighing motif. This is heard throughout much of the Overture, even in combination with the gently soaring phrases taken from Leonora’s great prayer to the Virgin to find peace in death.
Teacher Materials
Sound Links
- MP3 - La Forza del Destino Overture (external link)
- You Tube - La Forza del Destino Overture (external link)