Destiny has rarely been gloomier: Treliński's new Forza at the Met

Lise Davidsen (Leonora)

Lise Davidsen (Leonora) and Igor Golovatenko (Don Carlo)

Lise Davidsen (Leonora)

Lise Davidsen (Leonora), Brian Jagde (Alvaro) and Soloman Howard (Marquis of Calatrava)

Lise Davidsen (Leonora) and chorus

By Robert Levine, 29 February 2024

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“big, focused, steady at mezza-voce, laser-like at forte, an ideal Leonora”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City on 26 February 2024

Verdi, La forza del destino

Metropolitan Opera

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

Mariusz Treliński, Director

Boris Kudlička, Set Designer

Moritz Junge, Costume Designer

Marc Heinz, Lighting Designer

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

The Metropolitan Opera Chorus

Bartek Macias, Projection Designer

Lise Davidsen, Leonora

Brian Jagde, Don Alvaro

Igor Golovatenko, Don Carlo

Soloman Howard, Padre Guardiano, Marquis of Calatrava

Judit Kutasi, Preziosilla

Patrick Carfizzi, Fra Melitone

Stephanie Lauricella, Curra

Maćko Prusak, Choreography

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****1

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At the Metropolitan Opera, Innocence proves a gripping and perhaps divisive piece which feels real because it is a reflection of our reality, with no realistic hope of finding peace.

*****

Tristan und Isolde at the Met: staging gets in the way of the music

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***11

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*****

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Robert Levine

Robert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.

Destiny has rarely been gloomier – or better sung – in Treliński's vision of Forza at the Met