| Verdi, Giuseppe (1813-1901) | Simon Boccanegra (Original version 1857)) | Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave |
| Sir Mark Elder | Conductor | |
| The Hallé | ||
| Chorus of Opera North | ||
| Royal Northern College of Music Chorus | ||
| Germán Enrique Alcántara | Baritone | Simon Boccanegra |
| William Thomas | Bass | Jacopo Fiesco |
| Eri Nakamura | Soprano | Amelia Grimaldi (Maria Boccanegra) |
| Iván Ayón-Rivas | Tenor | Gabriele Adorno |
| Sergio Vitale | Baritone | Paolo Albiani |
| David Shipley | Bass | Pietro |
The Hallé’s opera concert performances with Sir Mark are always eagerly anticipated and this season’s choice will be no exception: a fascinating opportunity to hear Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra in its original 1857 version, which is also being recorded in a major collaboration with Opera Rara.
Set in medieval Genoa, and with a plot built around love, political intrigue and revenge, at its core is a recurring theme in Verdi’s operas, the love between a father and daughter, which brings tragedy in its wake. Heading an internationally stellar cast in this impelling drama is renowned Verdi baritone Igor Golovatenko (Boccanegra), and recent Franco Abbiati Prize winner Eleonora Buratto singing Amelia (Boccanegra’s illegitimate daughter). Iván Ayón-Rivas performs Gabriele Adorno (Amelia’s lover and her father’s political foe) and William Thomas, making his second appearance this season, is Jacopo Fiesco, Amelia’s grandfather.