Stefano Poda presents "La Forza Del Destino" at OPERA OPEN

I am happy, that I can present La Forza Del Destio/ The Power of Fate – a title, which I have staged on many occasions – in the special atmosphere of the Plovdiv Festival: I think that the Ancient Theater is the right place, where this unique work can be incarnated, with its tragedy, in the ancient sense of the word. Unlike other operas by Verdi, it is tragic not only in the romantic or Shakespearian sense, but most of all in the ancient, pre-classical meaning of this term.

La Forza Del Destio is soaked with this archaic Greek meaning of the universal catharsis drama, where the inevitability of the Necessity renders pointless the efforts of the protagonists, condemned to suffering, regardless of their choice. Yet, the different is the ethical gesture of the battle, of the human pride and dignity, which bring understanding and purification of the passions.

The soul of this drama is incarnated (deliberately or not) in a vital and extremely active body, which is a typical scenario – fresco of the nineteen century. This is exactly why the four protagonists seem like ghosts of ancient characters, appearing in a context, which cannot understand and situate them. They are souls born outside the time, in a constant contrast with the reality, condemned (perhaps) to extinction, but also to finally find peace. Their passionate and unsatisfied yearning is emphasized by its contrast with the crowd scenes full of small and satisfied people. Carlo and Alvaro are fighting in surroundings occupied by craftsmen and small traders, who always find things to be happy about, even in time of war, while Leonora will reach catharsis only because she has found Padre Guardiano in the world of so many Melitones.

Therefore, I am confident, that the audience in Plovdiv will see a performance, which is neither modern, nor traditional, but rather ancient and universal: so that the symbol is offered to the viewer as an “optical” instrument, in which we may all find that we are looking at ourselves.

Stefano Poda – Director