Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (DVD) – Luca Salsi, René Pape

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Artists: Luca Salsi, Marina Rebeka, René Pape, Charles Castronovo, André Heyboer, Antonio di Matteo, Long Long, Marianne Sattmann, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philharmoniker
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Directors: Andreas Kriegenburg
Format: NTSC
Language: Italian
Subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Korean, Japanese
Dubbed: None
Region: All Regions
Number of Discs: 1
Studio: Unitel Edition
DVD Release Date: June 5, 2020
Run Time: 142 minutes

Verdi’s masterpiece Simon Boccanegra is presented in a “clear and levelheaded” (The New York Times) staging by Andreas Kriegenburg from the Salzburg Festival. The tragedy of the corsair who becomes Doge of Genoa and is poisoned shortly after having found his lost daughter is conducted by Valery Gergiev, “makes for gorgeously beautiful tone colors” (Der Kurier). The excellent cast includes Luca Salsi (“Italy’s finest baritone today,” Financial Times) in the title role, René Pape (“in sumptuous voice,” Financial Times) as his contrahent Fiesco, as well as Marina Rebeka and Charles Castronovo as the loving couple Amelia and Adorno who together “create islands of bliss in duet and action” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung).

Valery Gergiev provides for an excellent musical realization: “The Wiener Philharmoniker seemed to have virtually conspired with the conductor and the work, shining into every hidden sound angle, playing out all their sovereignty and opera experience” (Süddeutsche Zeitung).

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