The Force of Destiny ( La forza del destino )

The Force of Destiny (DVD) (*)

$61.99

Original Title: La forza del destino
Language Selections:
Dutch ( Subtitles )
English ( Subtitles )
French ( Subtitles )
German ( Subtitles )
Italian ( Dolby Digital Stereo )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Germany ( PAL/NTSC/Region 0 )

Running Time:
165 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Booklet

Movie filmed in 1997 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Brian Large

Written By:
Francesco Maria Piave

Actors:
Galina Gorchakova ..... Leonora
Nikolai Putilin ..... Don Carlos
Gegam Grigorian ..... Don Alvaro
Marianna Tarasova ..... Preziosilla
Sergei Alexashkin ..... Padre Guardiano
Kirov Chorus ..... Chorus
Nikolai Gassiev ..... Mastro Trabucco
Valery Gergiev ..... Himself - Conductor
Grigory Karasev ..... Marchese di Calatrava
Kirov Orchestra ..... Themselves - Orchestra
Polina Laptev ..... Village Girl
Yuri Laptev ..... Chirurgo
Yevgeni Nikitin ..... Alcade
Lia Shevtsova ..... Curra
Georgy Zastavny ..... Fra Melitone

Synopsis:

Giuseppe Verdi's drama of love and destiny in times of war remains one of the best-known operas by this Italian master. In the „Milan version' of 1867 it has become an essential part of the repertoire of great opera houses, both in Europe and further afield. This DVD video recording, however, is quite distinct from the numerous other recordings available: the conductor Valery Gergiev has used the rarely-heard original 1862 version, composed for St. Petersburg, and containing wonderfully dramatic scenes and arias later deleted from the „Milan version'. And furthermore, the stage-set for this 1998 live recording in the Mariinsky Theatre recreates the original designs produced by Andreas Roller for the St. Petersburg premiere over 130 years ago.

Donna Leonora on the verge of eloping with her lover Don Alvaro is party to the accidental shooting of her father. Fleeing from her brother Don Carlo who swears to kill her and avenge his father, Leonora takes refuge at the monastery of the 'Madonna of the Angels', in hope of finding peace. The Father Superior takes her to an abandoned hermits cave where she vows to remain an unhappy, rejected woman cursed by heaven and earth, aspiring only to give herself to God. Cruel fate brings together lover Don Alvaro and brother Don Carlo in a a duel outside the cave. Carlo is wounded, Leonora runs to comfort her brother but is fatally stabbed in his dying vengeance. Don Alvaro, bereft and in the act of suicide at losing his beloved curses all humanity. This is the historic first recording of the original 1862 version as commissioned by the Imperial Theatre, St. Petersburg from Verdi.

Film version of Verdi's opera about a separation of lovers after girl's father has been killed by her lover and of her brother's determination to have revenge.

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 06 August, 2012.