When you look at the Simon Boccanegra, a regular man has greatness push abreast of him, fulfilling their ultimate dying compliment of a great confluence out-of fate and circumstances. Along the way, he seems to lose and you can regains an effective daughter, quashes a wave otherwise a couple, and you will unites Italy along with his perishing breath. Of numerous listeners revere Verdi’s masterful score if you are on the other hand sniffing in the convoluted spot, however, Laurence Dale’s manufacturing getting Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O23 produces an effective powerful situation towards the work’s remarkable unity.
New movie director provides that point purposefully vague, that have imposing sets of the Gary McCann one discreetly suggest a beneficial fascist graphic. You to definitely comparison might seem a little unjust for the term character – a person who is moral for the center, even in the event the guy dont totally prevent the trappings of autocracy – nevertheless underscores that you to definitely person’s savior was another’s tyrant. Dale makes use of a lot more-textual gizmos you to definitely coordinate the fresh backstory instead of opposing Piave and Boito’s libretto. The newest director and you can painters create an enthusiastic admirable level of specificity inside storytelling, considering the greater expanses of Academy from Music’s stage and you can the brand new opera’s sometimes static stretches.
One can tune in to for the Taylor’s sound the possibility to improve to your a Verdi baritone within his individual right
On gap, Corrado Rovaris unflaggingly supporting the action onstage while guaranteeing the excellence of your rating, starting with feminine designs on stately prelude. By the end of your Prologue, in which Boccanegra is actually elevated to Doge out-of Genoa, the guy whips the new band toward a great phantasmagorical frenzy, which matches the newest serious singing of the plebian chorus. (Opera Philadelphia chorus master Age Braden continues to functions magic which have her pushes – I would personally dislike to shed their in your community, however, she is going to be during the contention with the in the near future-to-become bare Urban Opera gig.) About evening, Rovaris can make you to definitely listen to common sounds having this new ears, since as he ravishingly layers the strings, wind gusts and you may percussion in the “Have quest’ora bruna” – simultaneously and also make Verdi source de l’image seem like the newest progenitor out-of both Debussy and you can Berg.
To have 1st trip regarding label role, Quinn Kelsey will continue to burnish their bona fides given that premier Verdi baritone from their generation. Though the guy never struggled that have singing projection, he recommended lyricism through the, shading their melting legato singing that have guidance old and you will indecision instead of barking outlines to present Boccanegra’s installing psychological distress. His finally utterances sounded rightly haunted, even when their powerful tonal beauty stayed. Into the assistance of Fernand Ruiz’s outfits, the guy exhibited their character’s development from simple corsair to help you huge leader, and on opera’s afterwards serves, he reminded the viewers you to definitely Boccanegra is still a fundamentally an effective man on their key.
Soprano Ana Maria Martinez lacked a few of the hallelia, brand new child away from Boccanegra who’s elevated because of the his archenemy, Jacopo Fiesco. Never expect ethereally floated high cards otherwise a specific expansiveness out of tone. A slight beat crept towards Martinez’s voice at the times, as well, but complete, she put an intelligent and highly sounds translation from a good Verdi woman that will from time to time look pretty and you can bare. Their particular Amelia is actually headstrong and you will confidant, even when it’s hard to comprehend just what attracts their particular so you’re able to Richard Trey Smagur’s hooty, overacted Gabriele Adorno.
In an attractive repeating minute, a light-gowned supernumerary haunts the latest periphery while the Boccanegra’s late partner and you may Amelia’s mother; she fundamentally prospects Simon for the afterlife
Religious Van Horn clipped a royal, dignified contour because the Fiesco, while the character lies a keen octave or so below the morale area away from their generally lyric trout-baritone. While the Paolo Albiani, Boccanegra’s turncoat mentor, baritone Benjamin Taylor try a finding, pouring acres regarding plangent musical to the what can easily be a great standard-issue villain.