PREMIERE OF 'LA FORZA DEL DESTINO'

On March 1, 2008 another Lexus sponsored production of the Vienna State Opera had its premiere. 'La forza del destino' - an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi, based on a Spanish drama and first performed in St Petersburg in Russia in 1862.

The story is set in the mid 18th Century in Spain and in Italy, and follows the tale of the tortuous love affair of a young nobleman from South America and the daughter of the Marquis of Calatrava.

There were a number of noted arias throughout the four acts, which in Vienna this March were sung by Nina Stemme as Leonora, Carlos Alvarez as Don Carlos and Salvatore Licitra as Don Alvaro. The performance was directed by David Pountney and conducted by Zubin Mehta.

Interestingly, there is a rumour amongst the old school Italian singers that 'La forza' is cursed, a myth that was not helped by the unexpected on stage death of Leonard Warren, a 48 year old American baritone after the first few lines of Don Carlos' III act aria "Morir, tremenda cosa" ("to die, a momentous thing")..

As always Lexus invited a number of VIP guests offering them a programme around this premiere. The programme started with a dinner in the Tea Salon of the Vienna State Opera, followed by the unique opportunity to watch the performance from the prestigious Royal Box. After the premiere Lexus guests were invited by the Vienna State Opera to the After Party where they took the opportunity to mingle with the artists.