【La forza del destino】Synopsis, Character Map

The Marquis of Calatrava
Good night. The window’s still open.

…Father.

The Marquis of Calatrava
Why do you look so sad?

The clean air of the countryside has given you peace of mind. You were able to escape from someone who was not worthy of you. You can trust me with your future. Trust in the Father who loves you.

Curra
I was afraid that the Marquis would be here until tomorrow. Let’s get ready and leave.

My dear father. My father will not like what I want. I’ve decided to leave this place, but I can’t make up my mind.

My father’s words just now pierced my heart like a dagger. If my father had stayed here, he might have told me the truth.

Curra
That way, tomorrow, Alvaro will be in his blood. He will be a prisoner in Seville and then to the gallows. And all this because he loved someone who would not love him back.

I don’t love him? You know how much I love him. I would give up my home, my family, my father for him.

I’m leaving the place where I was born and raised. I will be a pilgrim and an orphan. An inexorable fate will carry me to a strange shore.

Me, pellegrina ed orfana

Curra
Let’s hurry up and get ready. Please help me.

What if he doesn’t show up? It’s late. It’s almost midnight.

Curra
It is the sound of horses trampling.

It’s him!

Forever, my angel. The heavens bind us together, and the universe rejoices in our embrace.

Ah, per sempre, o mio bell’angiol

Alvaro…

What are you so confused about?

For a long time, there have been a thousand obstacles in your compound that have prevented me from entering. But nothing can stand against the magic of pure and divine love.

(To Curra) Throw her clothes off the balcony.

(To Curra) Stop it.

Let’s get out of this kind of prison.

I don’t know what to do.

The horses I have prepared are already waiting, and the priest is waiting for us at the altar. When the Sun, God of the Indians, Lord of my royal bloodline, fills the world with radiance, we will be the bride and groom.

Tomorrow… I’m leaving tomorrow. I want to see my father again. I know you love me and you won’t oppose my decision. I love you too. I love you!

I understand everything. Let me suffer. An unreasonable marriage will bring us death.

I am yours. I will follow you to the end. I will follow you. Our destinies cannot be divided.

Curra
It’s the sound of going up the stairs.

(To Alvaro) You should hide.

(Gun in hand) No, I’m protecting you.

Please put your weapons away. Are you going to point it at my father?

No, I point the gun at myself.

What a horrible thing!

The Marquis of Calatrava
O, tempter! Daughter of infamy!

Father.

The Marquis of Calatrava
There is no one here named Father.

I alone am guilty. Take your revenge on me.

The Marquis of Calatrava
I know that your actions are the result of your abominable origins.

Marquis! (Gun in hand) If anyone moves, it will be a disaster.

What are you doing?

Your daughter is as pure as an angel. I am sinful. Please end my life with your hands.

The Marquis of Calatrava
Your death at my hands would be a brazen request. I will extinguish your life at the hands of the executioner.

I am helpless.

What a sinister weapon.

The Marquis of Calatrava
Get away from me. Your form defiles my death. I curse you all.

Peasants
Dinner! Dinner!

(Do I search in vain for my sister and the seducer?)

Mayor
(To Carlo) Let’s ask the students here to pray for the meal.

(I’ve found him. My brother is here.)

Who is the small man who came into the cafeteria with you earlier?

All
She’s a woman who can tell fate.

Preziosilla
Who wants to make money? If you want to make money, become a soldier. Go to Italy to fight against Germany.

All
Death to the Germans!

Preziosilla
The sound of drums, the liveliness of horses, the buzz of the battlefield, morale is high. Long live the war. Cowards are forgotten and brave soldiers are rewarded with honor and glory.

Al suon del tamburo

What can you expect from a student like me?

Preziosilla
You’re going to have a miserable time. (whispering) I don’t trust you. You’re not a student. I’m not going to say anything. But you can’t fool me. Tra-la-la-la!

Voices of the Pilgrims
O Lord, Eternal Father. Have mercy on us.

Padre Eterno Signor

All
Who are they?

Mayor
Pilgrims.

（I’ve got to get out of here.)

All
Let us pray with the pilgrims.

(Please save me from my brother who seeks my blood. No one can save me. Have mercy on me, O God.)

I want to ask Maestro Trabuco. Is the small man you just saw also a pilgrim? Is he a woman or a man?

Trabuco
I don’t care about the identity of the travelers I put on the mules, as long as they pay me. You are persistent. Let’s sleep in the stables today.

The little guy doesn’t have a beard, so I’ll give him two mustaches.

All
Good one! Let’s do it.

Mayor
I disagree with that, as I am a protector of travelers. More importantly, who are you?

My name is Pereda. I’m a student, soon to be Ph.D. I’ve been on leave for a while because my friend Vargas came to visit me a year ago.

This is the story of my friend Vargas. His sister had fallen in love with a foreigner and killed her father. My friend vowed to take revenge on his sister and the foreigner. I was heartbroken for my friend. After a while, he went to America to pursue the murderer. And I, Pereda, became a student again.

Son Pereda son ricco d’onore

Mayor
You seem like a decent person.

Preziosilla
Was the Marquis murdered? Did the murderer take your sister? But you can’t fool me. Tra-la-la-la!

I’ve arrived. Thank you, God. This will be my final home. I will never forget the terrible story my brother told me. He said that Alvaro was headed for the Atlantic Ocean. He was alive. We were separated that night. I can’t believe he left me.

Holy Mother of Mercy. Forgive me for my sins.

Madre, pietosa Vergine

Singing of the monks
Let us go before God. Weep. Weep before the God who created us.

Please take the Abbot.

Fra Melitone
The church opens at five o’clock.

Introducing Father Cleto. It is urgent.

Fra Melitone
You’ve been introduced here by Father Cleto. Let’s open the door. Come on in.

I can’t.

Who needs me?

It’s me. The secret…

(To Fra Melitone) Leave. Come on, we’re alone.

I am a woman. I am cursed by earth and heaven. I want you to deliver me from hell.

What can a pathetic monk like me do for you?

Did Father Creto send you a letter?

It was you, Leonora. Now go to the cross. The voice of heaven will encourage your heart.

My mind has been quiet since I visited this place. I don’t see the vision of my father bleeding. I don’t hear the voice of my father cursing me.

So I want this place to be my tomb. A place among the rocks where a woman used to live.

Più tranquilla, l’alma sento

Do you know that place?

That’s what Father Cleto said.

What do you want?

I offer myself to God.

Woe to those who deceive themselves. It is only a momentary lapse of fancy. More deadly repentance will come to the young you.

Will you be able to make your heart immutable? And your lover?

He unintentionally killed my father.

And your brother?

My brother has sworn that he will take my death into his own hands.

The holy door of the convent will be good for you.

A convent! No, sir. If you drive out the repentant, I will enter the rocky mountain. I will take refuge in the mountains and seek food in the forest. Even the beasts will pity me.

O merciful God, God for the wretched. You will be done. Are your vows firm?

My vows are firm.

I am the only one who knows who you are. There are hollows between the cliffs, and every seven days I will bring you a little food.

(To Fra Melitone) Tell the other brothers to gather at the altar.

(To Leonora) You are to enter the cave at dawn. Comfort your souls with the food of angels. God will help you on your new path.

The mourners seek shelter among the cliffs. Let no one approach the holy refuge.

The monks
We’ll follow it.

(To Leonora) Come on, stand up. You will not see anyone alive. If you are in danger, ring the bell in the cave.

O Virgin among the angels, wrap me in your mantle. Watch over me.

La Vergine degli Angeli

The life of the unfortunate is hell. Leonora. It’s hard for me to remember that night.

Once upon a time, my father wanted to rid the world of foreign domination. To do so, he married the last princess of the Inca Empire. But it was in vain. I was born in a prison and grew up abandoned. I am alive because no one knows that I am of royal blood.

La vita è inferno all’infelice

You are in the arms of an angel. You have departed to the other world. I am exhausted and seek to meet death. Leonora, pity me.

O tu che seno agli angeli

(Carlo’s voice) Coward!

What’s going on? Let’s go help.

Are you okay? We’re in an encampment. Why did you fight with them?

We argued over a bet.

I see. But you seem like a nobleman. Why did you make the bet?

I’m new here and unfamiliar with this place. I came here yesterday by order of the general. You saved my life, and I want to make a friendship with you.

Alvaro and Carlo
The world will see that we are friends in life and death.

Amici in vita e in morte

A surgeon
I’m worried about the scar on his chest.

Where am I?

You’re with a friend. I’ll save you. Calatrava’s prize is yours.

Calatrava! I will never, ever accept this.

(Why is he so frightened of the name Calatrava?)

I want to talk to my friend. (To the doctor) Leave us.

In this solemn moment, I want you to swear to me. Fulfill your vow to me.

Solenne in quest’ora

I swear.

There is a key in my chest. (Pointing to his luggage) There is an envelope in the locked box. When I die, I want you to burn it.

I swear I will do so.

Dying. Would even a brave man like him die? But he shuddered at the name of Kastrava. Could it be that he was his sister’s seducer?

(Pulling out a small box from his luggage.)
So this is the envelope. But I swore. No one is watching, but I am watching the deed.

(drops envelope down)
In this lies my fate. I came here to wash away my dishonor, and now I may be exposed to new shame. Oaths are sacred to those with honor. I’ll leave the envelope a mystery. What other evidence might there be?

（Rummage through the package.)
There’s a portrait. He didn’t say anything. Let’s open it. Yeah, that’s Leonora. He’s Alvaro. He’s alive, and now he’s going to die by my hand!

Urna fatale del mio destino

A surgeon
He survived.

He’s saved. I can avenge him. I can avenge an infamous man. Leonora, where are you hiding? How happy I’d be if I could send you both to hell with a sword.

Egli è salvo!

Soldiers
Comrades, let’s take a break. Let’s take a look around the encampment. There is no noise, no light. Come on, comrades, keep moving. Soon we will hear the signal to get up.

Compagni, sostiamo

I can’t even savor a moment of peace. My soul is tired from the cruel battle. It is in vain that I ask God for peace and oblivion.

Né gustare m’ è dato un’ ora di quiete

Is your wound fully healed? Can you accept the duel?

A duel with who?

Didn’t you get the message? Alvaro in Indio.

Coward. You betrayed me.

I didn’t see the envelope. But I saw the portrait. Let’s get out of here and duel.

I did not cause your father’s death. It was fate. That night, I was injured and lost Leonora. I tried to find her, but I knew she was dead.

No, my sister resorted to the convent of her relatives. I rushed there, but she was already gone.

Leonora is alive. Then we’ll find her together.

Why with you? After I kill you, I’ll kill my sister. She’ll pay for it with her blood.

Shut up! Let’s use my sword to eliminate the assassin who’s after Leonora.

You are my father’s executioner.

What’s left for me to do? O, merciful God. The warrior goes to the altar of the monastery to seek oblivion and peace.

Preziosilla
Come to the fortuneteller. I’ve come a long way. Solve the riddle and see the future.

Trabuco
Who wants to buy cheap? Scissors, pins, soap. I’ll sell or buy anything. I’ll do any business you want.

Soldiers
“I have some jewelry. How much do you want for it?”
“Can you sell me a necklace?”
“Will you pay me for it?”

Trabuco
They’re all junk. But I’ll add a little to the purchase price for my services. What a bargain. Now, who wants to buy cheap?

Preziosilla
Don’t cry, young man. You’ll find a new lover. Have courage.

Fra Melitone
What a mess. I have come from Spain to heal your wounds. The soldiers are desecrating the holy Sunday. This is outrageous.

Italian Soldiers
The infamous friar! Grab him.

Spanish soldiers
Father. Please run away.

Preziosilla
(To the soldiers.) Let him go. Are you guys going to war with the priests? Well, that’s brilliant! I’ll protect you with my drums.

Preziosilla
Rataplan, rataplan, glorious! The ardor returns in the soldiers. Rataplan, rataplan, glorious! This sound is the signal of victory.

Rataplan, rataplan, della gloria

Peasants
Alms. We must leave. Alms!

Fate, la carità

Fra Melitone
Is this a tavern? ! Be quiet!

Peasant Woman
Give me more. I have many children.

Fra Melitone
Why do you have so many children? If you spend your nights observing the commandments as I do, God will not give you many children.

Do charity work.

Peasants
Father Raphael did a lot of charity work!

Fra Melitone
Yeah, he took care of this job for eight days, but now he’s holed up in his room. How dare he force me to do such a troublesome job.

Peasants
He was like an angel. Like a saint. Father Raphael was so kind!

Fra Melitone
Get out of here!

Fra Melitone
Oh, I can’t stand it any longer.

Auf! Pazienza non v’ha che basti!

Fulfill your obligations by being charitable. Be humble. Don’t care if Father Raphael is adored by the people.

Fra Melitone
I’m his friend. But he talks to himself a lot and is a bit strange. He has a sharp look in his eyes sometimes.

Yesterday, I jokingly said to him, You look like a Mulatto. He ran out and shouted. He is a strange priest.

He is disillusioned with the world and is going through the painful process of forgiveness. The all-nighters and abstinence must have confused his soul.

Get Father Raphael. Tell him the knight are here.

Fra Melitone
What an arrogant attitude.

Alvaro, it was in vain that you hid from the world in your hypocritical guise. Only your blood can wash away my anger.

Invano Alvaro

Don Carlo. Were you alive?

After five years of searching, I’ve finally found you. Your blood will wash away your infamy and your sins. The Book of Destiny says that I will punish you.

My hermitage and my clothes will tell you. I am atoning for my sins. I am repentant, and I want it to stay that way.

You have dishonored my name. You left me the sister you betrayed and abandoned.

No, I loved her. And I still do. If she loves me, there’s nothing to wish for.

My anger will not be appeased. Pick up your weapon.

Regret and tears will speak to you.

It’s obvious by that act that you’ve come from a dirty background. You are stained with Mulatto’s blood.

Pick up your weapon. Get out. No, hell will not prevail. Get out of here.

You are a coward. Have you no heart? I will dishonor you.

Fate has decided. Death.

Oh, peace. My God. I am suffering from a cruel misfortune. For many years, my suffering has been deep. I loved him. And I still love him. His image will never be taken from my heart.

(She finds the bread delivered by Padre Guardiano.)
Poor bread. You are extending my miserable life. Curse any who desecrate our sacred land!

Pace, pace, mio Dio!

(Carlo’s voice) I’m dying. Let me make a final confession to the priest. Please save my soul.

Io muoio! Confessione!

The blood flowed again. There must be a hermit in this cave. (Knocking on the cave door) Comfort the dying.

(From inside the cave) I can’t.

O fearless one, flee from the wrath of heaven.

Is it a woman? Leonora.

I never thought I’d see you again.

Get away from me. My hands are dripping with blood. A man is dying out there. I did everything I could to avoid a fight. I spent my days in a monastery. But he chased me, insulted me. I killed him.

Who is in there?

Your brother.

What an unfortunate fate. Does fate ridicule me? Leonora was alive and I could see her again, but I had shed her brother’s blood.

Shouting! What’s happening!

Even in his final hours, my brother did not forgive me. He avenged his shame with my blood.

God’s vengeance, I curse you.

Don’t curse. Look. The angel will fly away to God.

Non imprecare

I cry and pray. I ask God for your forgiveness.

I am the damned. There is blood between us.

Prostrate yourself.

I ask God for your forgiveness.

Leonora, I am redeemed, from heaven, I am forgiven!

Leonora and the Priest
Praise be to God.

Now that I am happy, I will go to the Promised Land before you. In that place, war will end and love will be holy.

Lieta or poss’io precederti

You’re leaving me. I should be the one to be punished.

It is martyrdom. Let us pray for her ascension to the Lord. May her death teach you faith and compassion.

I’ll be waiting for you in heaven.

She’s dead.

She had ascended to God.