In 1861, Giuseppe Verdi responded to a request from Tsar Alexander II of Russia to create “La Forza del destino”, translate “The Force of Destiny”. The work underwent a revision in 1869 – the one we know best today – to establish itself as a classic of the repertoire. The play in four acts is presented in Toulon this week and, due to work at the Opera, it is at the Zénith that the troupe has taken up residence for around ten days now. The sets were set up and the first rehearsals took place last week. Because if this is a co-production of the Teatro Regio de Parma and the Montpellier Orchestra, the Toulon performances are done with the musicians and the Choir of the Toulon Opera.
“Make our own version with our feelings”
Less known than “Aida”, “Rigoletto” or “La Traviata”, “The Force of Destiny” is “a traditional, gigantic, lyrical opera, with extraordinary music”explains Stephan Grögler, who directed the production of the Var performances.
To revisit this classic, he relies on a certain philosophy. “In art in general, everything that is done has already been done in one way or another. We can just be anchored in our times, try to be sensitive to the things around us and thus make our own own version with our feelings.”
The direction by Yannis Kokkos also relies on the sober sets. “He uses black, somber to highlight each character. I think that this sobriety serves this work so that the music can develop in a more spectacular way. We thus move on to something more poetic and less anchored in reality”analyzes Stephan Grögler. While specifying: “There is a dramaturgy that is not always credible in this opera compared to current standards. But if we manage to make the music as lively as possible and ensure that it is young people who embody the characters, I think that the we really carry away the emotion.”
“After “Aida”, I told myself that I could do it”
This is where the young Mexican soprano Yunuet Laguna enters the scene, playing Donna Leonora. “She really has an extraordinary voice. It’s one of the most difficult roles to sing,” underlines the director.
“Two years ago, I was 29 years old, I was offered this role. I was afraid, I thought I was too young. If I had never seen him on stage, I had watched videos and heard the interpretations of the greatest divas who have played this role”confesses Yunuet Laguna. After this hesitation and this lack of self-confidence, she ends up accepting. She says: “Afterwards, I did ‘Aida’. And after singing that, I said to myself that I could do it. It’s a wonderful experience, I love how this opera evolves and then there is ‘ ‘Pace Mio Dio’, the most recognized and awaited aria of this opera.”
A graduate of the Metropolitan Opera, winner of several competitions including the Elizabeth Connel Prize, the soprano goes into detail about her role as Donna Leonora who must flee after the death of her father, killed by accident by the man who was to become her husband. girl. “It’s a young girl who experiences her first love, she is overcome by emotions and destiny will change her life. The title of the opera says it very well. After the death of her father, she is full of guilt, sadness, she seeks refuge and disappears. She finds herself hidden in a cave for years, she is always overcome by the feeling of guilt and by her love for Alvaro whom she was unable to marry. “ She will not say more so as not to spoil the surprise of the spectators expected at the Zénith.
Know+
“The Force of Destiny.” Friday October 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday October 20 at 2:30 p.m. at the Zénith de Toulon. Duration 3h30 (two intermissions). Prices from 5 to 79 euros.
