Simon Boccanegra (tour – Norwich, Theatre Royal)

Alright, Simon
Boccanegra is not one of the most popular of Verdi‘s
operas – nor does it have the simplest plot but, at any rate in the
1881 revision, it does have some of the composer’s great hallmarks,
including lyrical father-daughter duets and baritone-bass
confrontations. Director James Conway keeps us in Genoa but shifts
the action from the mid-14th to the mid-20th century. We’re in the
aftermath of the Second World War with former partisans at odd with
the wealthier members of the community who (perhaps) still hanker
after Mussolini‘s brand of fascism.

Accepting this (for my
money, unnecessary) updating, we do have some extremely good
performances. Although it was announced that he was suffering from a
cold, Craig Smith makes Boccanegra into a real human-being with
fine singing as well as characterisation. The Act One Scene One duet
with Elizabeth Llewellyn‘s Amelia is particularly effective.
Llewellyn has a strong technique allied to lyricism and acting
ability; here is an Aida in the making, not to mention sundry other
Amelias.

Since I saw his Don
Pasquale a year or so ago, Keel Watson has developed into something
of a Lablache personality. “Il lacerato spirito” could
have more legato, but the following duet with Boccanegra and “Piango,
perché mi parla” in the last act both are excellent. Watson
has the right degree of snarl for his exchanges with Grqnt Doyle‘s
apparatchik of a Paolo. Charne Rochford is a tenor to watch, though
his approach could acquire greater subtlety; “O inferno! Amelia
qui!” was certainly passionate but not really smooth.

Carlos del Cueto
alternates as conductor and gives the orchestra pace to send the
sound of water – this is after all an opera set by the side of the
sea, from which Boccanegra has made a living and which carries
opponents of the doge into exile – Venice’s great rival. The
surtitles are something of a mixed blessing, the Council Chamber
scene reference to Petrarch sits oddly beside the earlier
description of Boccanegra as a black marketeer. The designer is
Samal Blak.