La Scala Premieres Verdi's La Forza del Destino

Teatro alla Scala in Milan hosted the gala premiere of Giuseppe Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino' for the first time in 59 years, aiming to dispel the opera's notorious reputation for bad luck. The production, conducted by Riccardo Chailly and featuring notable performers like Anna Netrebko and Brian Jagde, received a mixed reception with 13 minutes of applause alongside some boos. Jagde stepped in on short notice for Jonas Kaufmann, who withdrew for family reasons, expressing his exhilaration at performing in such a prestigious venue. Although the event attracted Milan's elite, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni were absent due to ceremonies in Paris for Notre Dame Cathedral's reopening. Netrebko praised the score as a masterpiece but expressed difficulty relating to her character, Leonora, describing the storyline as 'basically nonsense'. The premiere unfolded amid significant protests in Milan, reflecting the current political climate and ongoing unrest.