Dodo Parikas, Reporter

Fortunato (1993)

An opera about self-respect… “Modern opera – isn’t it supposed to be hard work for the ears? Possibly according to prejudice, but not at Norrlands Opera. Both critics and public have taken to Fortunato with music by Scot Ian McQueen and libretto by Italian Vanda Monaco-Westerstahl. Fortunato is no standard hero out of 18th century Italian opera. He doesn’t want to perform great deeds or get rich. On the contrary; he’s unconfident, can’t fight; encounters violence and cruelty and can’t cope with the desire and tenderness with which people want to smother him. He undergoes experiences many young people in the West suffer today. This is the story of an ordinary guy. His parents are not rich -not poor. Just like many other youngsters he knows he’s different and he soon takes off. But he knows that society’s prizes mean nothing to him. This, and his innocence, causes people to despise and hurt him instead of showing him respect. And the opera shows that he must learn to have self-respect.”