Opera Simon Boccanegra
New National Theatre Tokyo presents Verdi's masterwork opera "Simon Boccanegra".
Originally composed during Verdi's middle period when the composer was 43 and then revised to great acclaim 24 years later, Simon Boccanegra will be staged for the first time at the New National Theatre Tokyo. Based on the real-life figure Simon Boccanegra who lived during the 14th century and became the first Doge of Genoa, this powerfully dramatic work depicts the conflict between plebeians and patricians, where the love between father and daughter and lovers all intertwine. It offers endless delights for the ears, including Fiesco's pensive aria 'Il lacerato spirit', Amelia's romanza 'Come in quest'ora bruna', Simon and Amelia's duet, Gabriele's aria 'Sento avvampar nell'anima', Simon's monologue 'Plebe! Patrizi! Popolo!' as well as highly-charged ensembles and a variety of chorus scenes. Featuring many of Verdi's unique, remarkably appealing characters with lower male voices like the reformed pirate, Simon (Baritone), and the stern patrician, Fiesco (Bass), this is also a work that requires superb singers to perform it.
The production will be directed by world-renowned opera director, Pierre Audi, who led the Dutch National Opera for many years and has been serving as the general director of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence since 2018. Contemporary artist Anish Kapoor joins the team as collaborator. Ono Kazushi, famed for his passion for Italian opera, will conduct. This production has an impressive cast, with the role of Simon sung by Roberto Frontali, an internationally acclaimed Verdi-Baritone, Fiesco by Riccardo Zanellato, who has performed numerous bass roles in major theatres such as Teatro alla Scala and Paulo by the talented Simone Alberghini along with a star soprano Irina Lungu as Amelia, and Amelia's lover, Gabriele, portrayed through the glorious voice of Luciano Ganci.
This is a co-production with the Finnish National Opera and Teatro Real, and after the premiere at the New National Theatre Tokyo, the next performance is planned to be presented in Helsinki and Madrid.
