Overture: Force of Destiny - Verdi (1813-1901)

Guiseppe Verdi was born into a family of small landowners and taverners in the Duchy of Parma and died, after a long and successful career, in Milan aged eighty-eight. There were early signs of the musical talent which was to make him one of the world's greatest opera composers. When he was seven he was helping the local church organist; aged twelve he was studying with the organist at the main church in nearby Busseto. Although dogged by personal tragedies, Verdi's life was musically triumphant, culminating in such potent masterpieces as "Aida", "Il Trovatore" and "Falstaff". His passing was marked by a state ceremony with the funeral cortege accompanied by members of the Italian Royal Family, foreign diplomats and fellow composers. The orchestra and chorus of La Scala, Milan, conducted by Toscanini, were joined by the thousands who flocked the black-draped streets in "Va, pensiero" from his opera "Nabucco", paying tribute to a man who had dominated the Italian musical scene for half a century. The libretto of "The Force of Destiny" was based on an 1835 play "Don Alvaro and the Force of Destiny" and Verdi's opera received its first performance in St Petersburg in 1862.

A synopsis of the opera conveys its dramatic nature. When the Marquis of Calavatra attempts to prevent the elopement of his daughter Leonora with Don Alvaro, the son of an Inca princess, Alvaro accidentally kills him. Cursed by her father as he dies, Leonora seeks the help of the Father Superior of a monastery who arranges for her to live the life of a hermit in a retreat close to the monastery. Leonora's brother Don Carlo pursues Alvaro in search of vengeance. The two meet as fellow officers in the army but when Alvaro's true identity is revealed to Carlo, Alvaro refuses to fight himself seeking sanctuary in a monastery. Eventually, he is found by Carlo, who taunts him to such an extent that Alvaro forgets his Christian vows and the two men rush out to fight. A duel takes place close to Leonora's retreat. Alvaro mortally wounds Carlo, and calls to the hermit for aid to the dying man. Alvaro is astonished to discover that it is Leonora. Before he dies, Carlo stabs his sister. As she dies, her prayer for Alvaro's redemption is answered. The overture starts with six forceful blows of fate followed by the compelling statement of the "destiny" motif which pervades the whole opera. Interrupted by a reiteration of the "fateful" opening, the music gives way to two bitter-sweet melodies. all the while undermined by the urgent "destiny" message of impending disaster. The final section, combining the conflicting emotions of the opera, is a brilliant musical conception, raising the listener to a height of utmost expectancy as the curtain rises.

The Norfolk Symphony Orchestra is a registered Charity No. 263422