THE FORCE OF DESTINY (La Forza del Destino)

Librettist: Francesco Maria Piave

Cast of Characters

• The Marquis of Calatrava,Bass
• Leonora,Soprano, his daughter
• Don Carlo di Vargas,Baritone,his son
• Don Alvaro,Tenor, Leonora's half-Indian suitor
• Curra,Mezzo-Soprano, Leonora's Chamber maid
• Preziosilla,Mezzo-Soprano, A young gypsy fortune teller
• A Mayor,Bass
• Master Trabuco,Tenor, A muleteer and peddler
• Father Guardiano,Bass, A Franciscan
• Friar Melitone,Baritone, A Franciscan
• A Surgeon,Bass
• Peasants, Servants, Pilgrims, Soldiers and Friars.

Setting

Around 1850 in Spain and Italy.

Synopsis

Leonora and Don Alvaro are preparing to elope when her father enters the room to stop them. He has opposed their marriage because of Don Alvaro's mixed ancestry. In a token of surrender, Alvaro throws his pistol to the floor which discharges. Fatally wounded, the Marquis curses Leonora and the Force of Destiny is thus set in motion.

Leonora escapes and goes to a monastery to repent and spend her last days. Her brother, Don Carlo, has vowed to hunt her and Alvaro down and kill them to vindicate his father's death. Don Carlo and Alvaro meet in Italy during the war, and before Carlo can extract his vengeance, Alvaro escapes. He unknowingly goes to the same monastery as Leonora. One evening, Carlo arrives and the two duel. All three of their paths converge for a final fatal time.