Personal sacrifice meets political thriller in this vast opera by a master of the genre, as Opera Australia presents Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House for 9 performances only from 26 July 2016.
Boccanegra is a powerful man with a great tragedy in his past: 25 years earlier, his young lover died and their baby mysteriously disappeared. Just as he thinks he might have found his daughter, his enemies start to move against him.
No composer rivals Verdi in his ability to draw the audience into complex political landscapes by telling intimate, personal stories. Grave duets, complex ensembles and majestic choruses reveal a world of intrigue and influence, where the past is never behind you and every friendly face could disguise an enemy.
The opera’s extraordinary musical demands and sprawling story make it a rarity on the opera stage. Under the baton of conductor Renato Palumbo, a major cast including Barbara Frittoli, Diego Torre, George Petean and Giacomo Prestia comes together to bring this masterpiece to the Sydney Opera House stage.
“This is a wonderful grand opera. One of my favourites. For Verdi aficionados, it is one of the greatest penned by the master composer,” said Opera Australia Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini. “It’s notoriously difficult to sing and you need a conductor at the top of their game. After his extraordinary success with Rigoletto and La Traviata, Renato Palumbo is regarded as one of the greatest living Verdi conductors and I’m privileged to welcome him back.”
“We have a fabulous cast. Barbara Frittoli is one of the world’s great sopranos and George Petean is one of the world’s great baritones. They are joined by Giacomo Prestia who sang such a magnificent King Phillip in Don Carlos last year in Melbourne, and the wonderful tenor Diego Torre.”
“Simon Boccanegra is a big piece and you need big voices. We have them in spades in this production and the great council chamber scene where Boccanegra enters with Plebe! Patrizi! will be a moment to remember.”
It’s only fitting that a Verdi masterpiece will conclude Opera Australia’s 60th anniversary season, with the finest of voices, the greatest of composers and the highest levels of drama, passion, and intrigue.
Director: Moffatt Oxenbould Conductor: Renato Palumbo Featuring: Barbara Frittoli, Diego Torre, George Petean, Giacomo Prestia, Warwick Fyfe, Richard Anderson, Rebecca Currier, Stuart Haycock, Opera Australia Chorus, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra Revival Director: Matthew Barclay Set Designer: Peter England Costume Designer: Russell Cohen Lighting Designer: Nigel Levings
Simon Boccanegra
Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
Season: 26 July – 13 August 2016
Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Simon Boccanegra – courtesy of Opera Australia