Giuseppe Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra presents the tragic story of naval hero Boccanegra (George Petean) who experiences great loss when the mother of his child, Maria, dies. Her father, Jacopo Fiesco (Giacomo Prestia), resents him and insists the only way in which to achieve redemption in his eyes is to hand his granddaughter over to him. Sadly he has no idea what has become of his daughter, who was given to an elderly woman to raise but disappeared after the woman died. In the midst of all this there is political drama as the people of Genoa vote Boccanegra as Doge. As we enter into Act I it is twenty-five years later and things are about to get very complicated.
The sudden appearance of Amelia Grimaldi (Natalie Aroyan) throws Boccanegra’s world into a spin when he realises she is his daughter. Their delight at being reunited is exuberant but kept hidden from those around them, including Amelia’s love Gabriele Adorno (Diego Torre), who has a personal vendetta against the Doge. Their joy is short lived and tragedy befalls Boccanegra one final time.
Aroyan and Petean are exceptional as the Father and Daughter, whose grief is powerfully expressed. Verdi appears to have abandoned operatic conventions in favour of uninterrupted drama which plays out on stage at a rapid pace. The stunning music appears to flow back and forth, resembling the sea by which Genoa is based and upon which Boccanegra spent most of his life. As the performance draws to its conclusion we see the Doge gaze upon the sea while contemplating his life, a moment beautifully reflected in the score, conducted by Renato Palumbo.
Exploring themes of love, loss and the power of forgiveness, Simon Boccanegra is a moving and tragic tale brought to life by a talented cast who will have you holding your breath until the very last note.
Simon Boccanegra runs until August 13 at the Sydney Opera House. Bookings via http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
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