Opera Scotland

Force of Destiny 1990Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Forza del Destino

Scottish Opera’s first staging of this fascinatingly enjoyable work was notable for several unusual features. Firstly, John Mauceri returned to Verdi’s original thoughts for St Petersburg, as a result of which some unfamiliar music was heard. There was no overture, and the order of events in the third act was different (and more plausible). Finally, the conclusion of the work was far more bleak, with no hint of redemption as Alvaro kills himself in a storm of thunder and lightning. The whole evening was a consistently enjoyable piece of music drama, with the performances of orchestra and chorus absolutely central.

Elijah Moshinsky's production was set around the time of composition, not quite American Civil War or Risorgimento, but a hispanic equivalent which was very effective. The cast included a notable British debut for Andrea Gruber, an extremely young American soprano with a lustrous voice, and a superbly baleful performance of Don Carlo from the Kirov baritone Vladimir Chernov. Sadly, neither singer ever returned to sing in Scotland afterwards.

A second excellent Russian made an effective Padre Guardiano. The small but vital role of Preziosilla seemed far more important in the hands of the wonderful Della Jones, who also had an expert technique with her drum. The company's recent Alberich made a very different, but equally impressive, Melitone.

Alvaro was another debutant from the States. Stefano Algieri was a powerful dramatic presence, wonderful in the stirring, unfamiliar final scene. He would be a welcome returnee for a couple of later productions. Unfortunately he seems to have had a tendency to nerves on opening nights, so the critics rarely saw him at his best.

 

Scottish Opera's Season -1989/90

The 1989/90 season of Scottish Opera included new productions of Salome,  La forza del destino,  Così fan tutte,  The Merry Widow, The Threepenny Opera and Duke Bluebeard's Castle.  The revivals were Oedipux Rex (partnering Bluebeard),  Madam Butterfly,  Die Fledermaus and Jenůfa.  There was an Opera-Go-Round tour of Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana (in that order).