La Forza del Destino (The force of destiny), one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most ambitious operas, will be transmitted live and exclusively at the Eden Cinemas this evening from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, with an encore screening on Sunday afternoon.

The plot revolves around Leonora, daughter of the Marquis of Calatrava and her lover, South American nobleman Don Alvaro. The Marquis forbids his daughter from marrying Alvaro, and when they attempt to elope, the Marquis catches them.

In the ensuing altercation, Don Alvaro accidentally kills the Marquis, who curses his daughter as he dies.

Leonora and Alvaro become separated during their escape. Leonora’s brother Don Carlo di Vargas decides to find them and avenge his father. Don Carlo joins the Spanish army under a false name, little knowing that Don Alvaro has done the same thing. The men become close friends while fighting in Italy.

But friendship turns to enmity when Don Carlo discovers Leonora’s portrait among Don Alvaro’s possessions, and realises who his new ‘friend’ really is. His subsequent actions lead the men back to Spain, and to the remote monastery where a disguised Leonora lives as a recluse.

Verdi’s epic opera La Forza del Destino will be transmitted live at the Eden Cinemas, Paceville, today at 7.15pm, with an encore screening on Sunday at 3pm. For tickets, visit edencinemas.com.mt.