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Simon Boccanegra
Verdi
Who knew that the political shenanigans of 15th-century Genoa could be so gripping?
The plebeians plan to overthrow the aristos; a former pirate becomes Doge; a little girl disappears; poison is poured into a glass of drinking water.
Verdi first wrote this score in middle age. Returning to it decades later, he transformed a complex drama into this masterpiece, where dark personal histories clash with affairs of state.
Simon Keenlyside stars as the tortured, conflicted Doge, trying to do the right thing.
Opera in a prologue and three acts
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Music Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto Piave, based on the play by Gutierrez
First performance 1st version 12 March 1857, La Fenice, Venice
First performance 2nd version 24 March 1881, La Scala, Milan
UK première 2nd version 1948, Sadler’s Wells
Cast & Creatives
SIMON BOCCANEGRA ∙ SIR SIMON KEENLYSIDE Sponsored by Ruth Markland
JACOPO FIESCO, a nobleman ∙ JAMES CRESWELL
AMELIA GRIMALDI, his daughter ∙ ELIN PRITCHARD
GABRIELE ADORNO, a gentleman ∙ LEONARDO CAPALBO
PAOLO ALBIANI, the Doge’s friend ∙ JOLYON LOY
PIETRO, a popular leader ∙ DAVID SHIPLEY
CONDUCTOR ∙ GIANLUCA MARCIANO
REVIVAL DIRECTOR ∙ ROBIN TEBBUTT
ORIGINAL DIRECTOR ∙ DAVID POUNTNEY
ORIGINAL SET DESIGN ∙ RALPH KOLTAI
ORIGINAL COSTUME DESIGN ∙ SUE WILLMINGTON
LIGHTING DESIGNER ∙ TIM MITCHELL