Milan’s renowned Teatro alla Scala is making a significant return to the operatic stage with Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino,” which opens its gala season premiere on Saturday after a 59-year hiatus. The opera, however, is often marred by the belief that it carries a streak of misfortune, and the production team aims to change this perception during this highly anticipated event.

This premiere is one of the most significant events on Milan’s cultural calendar, drawing attention from high-profile personas across politics, business, and the arts. Interestingly, this year, both President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni have opted to attend the reopening ceremonies for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, leading to notable absences from the festivities at La Scala.

The lead roles are performed by celebrated Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, portraying Leonora, alongside American tenor Brian Jagde as Don Alvaro. Jagde stepped in at the last minute to replace German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, who had to withdraw for personal reasons. This marks Jagde’s fourth performance of the role of Don Alvaro this year and his third time performing at La Scala, where he has previously substituted alongside Netrebko in another opera, “Turandot.”

In a recent press conference, Netrebko praised the score of “La Forza del Destino,” calling it a “masterpiece.” However, she expressed difficulty in connecting with her character, Leonora, describing her struggle to relate to the character as a contemporary woman. She stated, “If you are looking at the story, it is basically nonsense, sorry,” while reflecting on the depth of Leonora’s turmoil characterized by fear, guilt, and desperation.

This opera weaves a tale of tragic love between Don Alvaro and Leonora, set in a tumultuous world, mirroring the current global situation. Coinciding with the gala premiere, a pro-Palestinian protest is scheduled to take place in downtown Milan, just before the high-profile guests arrive. Additionally, unions commonly mount protests against the luxurious event across from the opera house.

Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” has long been associated with superstitions about bringing bad luck, to the extent that some Italians avoid mentioning its full title. The production team at La Scala is eager to break this longstanding reputation. Leo Muscato, the staging director, expressed a determined vision to transform the narrative around the opera: “We will be the catalyzers of good luck,” he stated, acknowledging that challenges are part of every production.