Simon Boccanegra at Göteborg Opera, Main Stage

The two opera giants of the nineteenth century, Verdi and Wagner, both celebrate their 200th anniversary in 2013. For Verdi, we will be celebrating this by performing his much-loved Simon Boccanegra.

In this opera, Verdi takes an overall perspective on one of his favourite themes: the study of power, its conditions and how it is possible to exercise power well and justly when there is intrigue and various factions at work all around you. Some powerful autobiographical strands also permeate the work. The open wound that the loss of his wife and children inflicted on Verdi finds expression in the opera, as does the recurring theme of love between father and daughter.

This hugely successful and visually lavish production from the Hamburg Opera, directed by the illustrious Claus Guth, depicts the way in which power can be a burden on our lives. Threads are elegantly woven showing how the events of yesteryear encroach on the characters’ lives – the past affects the present.

Anders Larsson makes his debut in the title role and pours life into Verdi’s baritone pieces. There is a welcome reappearance by Malin Byström as his daughter Amelia, following her success with Thaïs. In the tenor role, there is an exciting guest performance by the Mexican Arturo Chacón-Cruz, while Anders Lorentzson faces a new challenge as Fiesco’s multi-faceted villainous father figure. There can hardly be a better way in which to celebrate this Verdi anniversary than by handing over the baton to our guest principal conductor Giancarlo Andretta.