La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) is a tragedy involving Leonora, daughter of the Marquis of Calatrave, her lover and her brother, who are subject to the whims of fate. The dramatic music typical of Verdi conveys the grand, dark, and deep atmosphere of Spain. The passion of lovers, an obsession with revenge that is not completed until the life of the old enemy is taken, violent emotions, and a prayer for reconciliation---all these eloquently tell a tense drama as it develops at a bewildering speed.

Leonora, daughter of the Marquis of Calatrave, attempts to run away with her lover Don Alvaro. Professing his non-resistance in front of the Marquis, Alvaro throws his pistol to the ground, but it goes off, killing the Marquis. Leonora’s brother Don Carlo chases her and her lover. She enters a nunnery. Alvaro escapes safely and reaches a battlefront in Italy, where he rescues an officer, who turns out to be Carlo.