Photo © Catherine Ashmore
Plácido Domingo’s star turn in the title role of Verdi’s opera Simon Boccanegra won rave reviews from around the world, earlier this year. The stunning production, filmed live at the Royal Opera House, has now been released on DVD.
Domingo has often sung the tenor role of young revolutionary Gabriele Adorno in this opera (including for The Royal Opera in 1997). Tackling the baritone role of political master and former corsair Simon Boccanegra, Doge of Genoa, is a brave and fascinating move.
The tale addresses both the political intrigues of 14th-century Genoa, with its warring factions, and the personal life of Simon. At the end of the Prologue of the opera, Simon’s beloved Maria has died and their illegitimate daughter has mysteriously disappeared. Twenty-five years later, Simon, who has devoted his life to politics, is reunited with his child.
Domingo has enjoyed a spectacular career in which he has tackled nearly all of Verdi’s great tenor roles. His interpretation of the title role of Otello at the Royal Opera House was particularly praised and he has declared the role his favourite. Movingly, Domingo has said that he ‘planned these Boccanegras as, perhaps, my farewell to my favourite opera houses.’