Into the Simon Boccanegra, a regular guy has success thrust upon him, appointment his eventual death due to an effective confluence regarding fate and you will circumstance. In the act, the guy loses and you can regains a good daughter, quashes a wave otherwise several, and you may unites Italy with his dying breathing. Of a lot listeners revere Verdi’s masterful rating when you’re likewise sniffing during the convoluted plot, but Laurence Dale’s development having Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O23 tends to make a great powerful instance into work’s dramatic unity.
The brand new movie director enjoys that time intentionally unclear, having imposing set because of the Gary McCann one subtly highly recommend a great fascist visual. You to definitely testing may seem quite unfair towards title profile – a person who’s moral toward key, though the guy dont completely avoid the trappings of autocracy – nonetheless it underscores the truth that one man or woman’s saving grace is actually another’s tyrant. Dale employs extra-textual gadgets you to coordinate brand new backstory instead contradicting Piave and you will Boito’s libretto. The new manager and musicians perform an admirable level of specificity from inside the storytelling, because of the broad expanses of one’s Academy out of Music’s phase and you can the opera’s periodically fixed expands.
One can possibly hear into the Taylor’s sound the possibility to switch with the an effective Verdi baritone inside the individual proper
Regarding pit, Corrado Rovaris unflaggingly aids the action onstage while guaranteeing the fresh excellence of the score, beginning with feminine designs regarding stately prelude. Towards the end of your own Prologue, where Boccanegra are raised to Doge away from Genoa, he whips the latest band towards the a phantasmagorical frenzy, and that complements new severe vocal of the plebian chorus. (Opera Philadelphia chorus master Elizabeth Braden continues to functions wonders with their own pushes – I would dislike to get rid of their in your town, however, she will likely be from inside the assertion to your in the near future-to-end up being vacant Urban Opera gig.) Throughout the night, Rovaris makes that listen to familiar songs with this new ears, due to the fact as he ravishingly layers the brand new chain, winds and you will percussion in the “Have been in quest’ora bruna” – additionally making Verdi appear to be the brand new progenitor off one another Debussy and you can Berg.
For his first trip regarding term part, Quinn Kelsey continues to burnish their bona fides because the largest Verdi baritone of their age group. Even though he never ever battled with vocal projection, the guy best lyricism during, shading his melting legato singing having advice of age and indecision as opposed to barking outlines to grant Boccanegra’s installing psychological worry. Their last utterances seemed rightly haunted, though their powerful tonal charm stayed. Into help of Fernand Ruiz’s apparel, the guy presented his character’s development of easy corsair so you can grand ruler, and you can about opera’s afterwards serves, the guy reminded the audience one Boccanegra remains a fundamentally a good guy within his key.
Soprano Ana Maria Martinez lacked a few of the hallelia, the newest daughter regarding Boccanegra who’s elevated by the his archenemy, Jacopo Fiesco. Cannot expect ethereally floated large cards or a specific expansiveness out-of tone. A small defeat crept into the Martinez’s sound at the minutes, as well, however, complete, she put an intelligent and you will extremely audio translation off a Verdi woman who will occasionally seems fairly and you will empty. Their particular Amelia was headstrong and confidant, even if it’s difficult to appreciate what pulls her so you can Richard Trey Smagur’s hooty, overacted Gabriele Adorno.
Into the a gorgeous repeating second, a light-gowned supernumerary haunts the fresh new periphery due to the fact Boccanegra’s late wife and you may Amelia’s mother; she ultimately guides Simon toward afterlife
Christian Van Horn reduce a regal, dignified figure while the Fiesco, even though the part lies an octave or more below the comfort zone regarding their fundamentally lyric trout-baritone. Given that Paolo Albiani, Boccanegra’s turncoat coach, baritone Benjamin Taylor try a breakthrough, pouring acres from plangent musical towards the just what could easily be good standard-question pourquoi les femmes Polonais veulent-elles Г©pouser des hommes des Г‰tats-Unis villain.