Born the son of a village innkeeper, Giuseppi Verdi was one of the greatest and most popular 19th century opera composers. His series of fine operas, so perfectly written for the human voice, remain core to the repertory of every opera house the world over. La Forza del Destino (The Force of Destiny), written when he was 48, was first performed in St.Petersburg in November 1862 to only moderate success. Verdi revised both libretto and music seven years later - something he did with many of his operas - and the work was received with more acclaim.

Many of Verdi's operas have no overture, but plunge straight into the action. The Force of Destiny is an exception, and the overture is like a cinema trailer - a rapid run-through of some of the highlights, intended to tease and excite the public for what was to come. Fate knocks on the door - a triple knock, repeated. An urgent, pleading theme is declaimed, then fate knocks again. Two slow tunes follow, accompanied by the pleading theme. Then the action is fast all the way, though with the occasional flashback, to a brilliant conclusion.