The Teatro alla Scala is set to open its 2024-25 season with Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino,” a work that has rarely appeared on the Milan stage.

The work was last presented in 1999 with Riccardo Muti conducting and in 2001 with Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Theatre. The only time the opera opened the Teatro alla Scala was in 1965 with Gavazzeni conducting a production by Margherita Wallmann.

With this new production by Leo Muscato, Chailly is bringing an all-star cast that has performed the opera to great acclaim.

Here is a look at the cast’s past experiences with “La Forza del Destino.”

Brian Jagde – Don Alvaro 

The first time the American tenor performed the work was at the Paris Opera in 2019. Of his role debut, OperaWire noted that he “gave a vocal masterclass in singing one of the most challenging roles of the repertory.” He later brought his acclaimed turn to the Royal Opera House in 2023  and the Metropolitan Opera in 2024 in a new production.

His most recent production came in the fall of 2024 at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Now he will return to he will sing his fifth production at the famed Milan theater and will also open the Teatro alla Scala for the first time in his third production with the company.

Anna Netrebko – Leonora 

The Russian soprano is no stranger to La Scala opening nights having already opened the theater’s season on six occasions in productions of “Don Carlo,” “Giovanna d’Arco,” “Tosca,” “Macbeth,” “Don Giovanni” and “Andrea Chenier.” Now she brings her Leonora to La Scala. The soprano first sang the role at the Royal Opera House in 2019 garnering great acclaim with critics stating, “Netrebko’s ability to combine vocal weight with delicacy allows her both to power her way magnificently through the climaxes of Madre, Pietosa Vergine and float the long lines of La Vergine Degli Angeli with exquisite ease.”

She later performed in Paris in 2022. This will mark her third production of the famed opera.

Ludovic Tézier – Don Carlo di Vargas 

The French baritone is one of the great Verdi baritones of his generation and has been performing he role of Don Carlo for over a decade. He first took on the role at the Bayerische Staatsoper in 2014 and later brought his interpretation to the Royal Opera House in 2019 and Paris Opera in 2022 alongside Netrebko.

His interpretation has been hailed by critics stating, he “shows both Don Carlo’s implacability and the utter exhaustion of a life spent in single-minded pursuit of vengeance. He sings “Urna fatale” with the sustained patience and intensity that define the character.”

This will mark the first time he opens the Teatro alla Scala’s season.

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya – Preziosilla 

The Russian mezzo has become one of the most promising singers of her generation having had her break in Pesaro and already having sung at the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera. In her first opening night at La Scala, Berzhanskaya will sing the role of Preziosilla, which she has already performed at the Royal Opera in 2023 and later at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Of her interpretation, OperaWire said she “gave a dazzling” performance.

 

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Alexander Vinogradov – Padre Guardiano 

The Russian bass has become one of the most sought-after singers in the world singing at the Metropolitan Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, Opera Australia, Wiener Staatsoper, and Teatro Real, among others. He made his La Scala debut in the 2009-10 performing “Carmen” and later returned during the 2010-11 season performing “Romeo et Juliette.” This will mark his first opening night with the company.

“La Forza del Destino” opens on Dec. 7, 2024.