Simon Boccanegra
Elijah Moshinsky depicts the rise and tragic fall of Simon Boccanegra in a powerful production.
Photos
When to see it
Booking for 27 June 2013 - 16 July 2013 opens
- Booking opened 9 April 2013 for General Public.
- Booking opened 13 March 2013 for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opened 1 March 2013 for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opened 27 February 2013 for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opened 26 February 2013 for Premium 2 Friends.
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Hampson
- Gerzmava
- Furlanetto
- Thomas
- Platanias
- Kim
- Armit
- Hickenbottom
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Hampson
- Gerzmava
- Furlanetto
- Thomas
- Platanias
- Kim
- Armit
- Hickenbottom
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Hampson
- Gerzmava
- Furlanetto
- Thomas
- Platanias
- Kim
- Armit
- Hickenbottom
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Hampson
- Gerzmava
- Furlanetto
- Thomas
- Platanias
- Kim
- Armit
- Hickenbottom
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Hampson
- Gerzmava
- Furlanetto
- Thomas
- Platanias
- Kim
- Armit
- Hickenbottom
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Willis
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Hampson
- Gerzmava
- Furlanetto
- Thomas
- Platanias
- Kim
- Armit
- Hickenbottom
- Royal Opera Chorus
Introduction
When Simon Boccanegra was a young man, his lover died and their baby disappeared. Years later, as Doge of Genoa, he is reunited with his daughter, but his newfound happiness is threatened by political enemies.
News and features
Political operas #1: Don Carlo, Simon Boccanegra and Gloriana
From the terrors of the Spanish Inquisition to a troubled English queen, three iconic examples.
Composer’s Cut #1: Giuseppe Verdi the notorious reviser
In the first of a series of articles on how composers rework operas, we explore changes to Don Carlo and Simon Boccanegra.
Thomas Hampson on Simon Boccanegra: ‘Dramatic, beautiful and rewarding’
The American baritone on how the piece reflects Verdi’s own life, opera as theatre and his philanthropic work.
Thomas Hampson: A true "Mastersinger"
We profile the American baritone, who appears in Simon Boccanegra this summer.
Background
What is the personal price of political success? The question lies at the heart of Giuseppe Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. The opera is a sympathetic portrait of a man whose past catches up with him. While the 1857 premiere of Simon Boccanegra was not a success, 20 years later Verdi revised the score and libretto with writer Arrigo Boito. The opera’s ‘rebirth’ in Milan in 1881 met with great acclaim. Simon Boccanegra is now recognized as one of Verdi’s most compelling works.
Elijah Moshinsky’s handsome production is inspired by Italian Renaissance art. Moments of intimacy – such as the tender duet when Boccanegra is reunited with his daughter Amelia – are contrasted with the stormy drama of state politics. Coursing though the opera is the hatred between Boccanegra and Fiesco, father of Boccanegra’s lover Maria. The men finally make peace in Act III in a moving duet – but has reconciliation come too late?
Thanks to
Generous Philanthropic Support from
Mrs Susan A Olde OBE, Alfiya and Timur Kuanyshev and the Verdi Syndicate
How to support the Royal Opera House
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Running time
About 3 hours | Including one interval
Credits
| Director | Elijah Moshinsky |
| Set designs | Michael Yeargan |
| Costume designs | Peter J Hall |
| Lighting design | John Harrison |
| Fight director | William Hobbs |
Related links
- en.wikipedia.org Simon Boccanegra – synopsis
