Tragic Stage Demise of Baritone Leonard Warren in Opera Performance - Unnerving Account of His On-stage Death
On a fateful day in March 1960, the world of opera was shaken by an unprecedented event. Leonard Warren, a renowned baritone, died on stage at the Metropolitan Opera in New York while performing the role of Don Carlo in Verdi's "La Forza del Destino."
The tragic event occurred during Act III of the opera. Eye-witness accounts state that Warren was singing the recitative 'Morir! Tremenda cosa!' and the aria 'Urna fatale' when he suddenly went silent and fell face-forward on the floor.
Roald Reitan, as the Surgeon, entered the stage after Warren fell, and no response came from the baritone. Uncertainty and wonder gripped the audience for a few seconds, and a voice in the auditorium said "Bring the curtain down!".
The incident is noteworthy as it is rare for musicians to die on stage. Warren's last words were 'Morir, tremenda cosa', which means 'to die, a momentous thing'. The eerie circumstances around Warren's death have made his death a memorable event in the world of opera.
Superstition has attached itself to 'La Forza del Destino' as a result of Warren's death, with some believing the opera to be cursed. Notable artists, such as Pavarotti, are reportedly among those who have avoided performing 'La Forza del Destino' due to the superstition surrounding Warren's death.
Leonard Warren was frequently a performer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the conductor who led the performance of "La Forza del Destino" on March 4, 1960, was Fritz Stiedry.
This article was updated on 18 September 2024 at 15:50. The date of the incident is 18 September 2024 (the current date of the article).
"La Forza del Destino" is an opera by Verdi, and Warren's death serves as a stark reminder of the passion and risk that artists take to bring their art to life. His memory continues to inspire and intrigue opera lovers around the world.
