Mainly Opera and Ballet
Political intrigue, paternity and poison are the principal ingredients driving this Verdi opera. The story, set in 14th century Genoa, may be ahistorical in detail but the ambitions driving it are not, and there really was a pirate turned governor named Simon Boccanegra — see my review in The Article.
This interestingly minimalist production by theatre director Stephen Unwin sets the story in the 1940s with mafia overtones, particularly notable in the figure of Enrico’s retainer Normanno (Richard Roberts) a sleazy chain-smoker, tie-less and wearing a hat indoors even during the Act II wedding scene. ‘Tis he who writes the forged letter from Lucia’s beloved …
All performances start at 8 o’clock, and for good reason. The month is July and Act II emerges as the outside light gradually dims. In early Act I with daylight outside, Miles goes to a large blackboard on one side of the stage and draws the outline of what looks like a door. In the darker …
