Brian Jagde's last-minute La Scala debut raises eyebrows in the opera world

In Milan, Italy, the renowned Teatro alla Scala recently hosted the first performance of Giuseppe Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino' in 59 years as part of its gala season premiere. The event sought to combat the opera's longstanding reputation for being associated with bad luck, a superstition reflected in the fact that some Italians refrain from stating the opera's full title. This monumental production featured celebrated artists including Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and American tenor Brian Jagde, who stepped in on short notice, replacing German tenor Jonas Kaufmann due to personal issues. Jagde marked his third performance at La Scala with this significant role, having recently concluded performances in Barcelona and appearing twice earlier in Milan. Notably, several prominent political figures were absent from the event, opting instead to attend the reopening ceremonies of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, signaling changing times for cultural events. The performance, which was well received by the audience with bursts of applause despite some booing, received accolades from Netrebko, who hailed the opera’s score as a masterpiece, although she candidly expressed her inability to connect with her character, Leonora, from a modern perspective. In a broader context, the opera tells a tragic love story colored by themes of war and individual tragedy, resonating with audiences amid contemporary global turmoil. Organizers, including staging director Leo Muscato, hope that this production will finally dispel the bad luck connotations surrounding the opera as they strive to create a celebratory atmosphere conducive to good luck.