Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Original 1857 version)
Germán Enrique Alcántara (Simon Boccanegra), Eri Nakamura (Maria/Amelia), William Thomas (Fiesco), Iván Ayón-Rivas (Gabriele Adorno), Sergio Vitale (Paolo Albiani)
The Hallé, Chorus of Opera North, RNCM Opera Chorus, Sir Mark Elder
Awards:
-
Presto Recording of the Week, 21st March 2025
-
Gramophone Magazine, May 2025, Editor's Choice
Exceptional vocal performances from Argentinean baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara in the title role, rising bass William Thomas as his foe Jacopo Fiesco and Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas as...
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Original 1857 version)
Germán Enrique Alcántara (Simon Boccanegra), Eri Nakamura (Maria/Amelia), William Thomas (Fiesco), Iván Ayón-Rivas (Gabriele Adorno), Sergio Vitale (Paolo Albiani)
The Hallé, Chorus of Opera North, RNCM Opera Chorus, Sir Mark Elder
Purchase product
Awards:
-
Presto Recording of the Week, 21st March 2025
-
Gramophone Magazine, May 2025, Editor's Choice
Exceptional vocal performances from Argentinean baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara in the title role, rising bass William Thomas as his foe Jacopo Fiesco and Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas as...
About
The original version of Simon Boccanegra, first performed in 1857, is a masterpiece of concision and spare vocal delivery, having many important differences from the later 1881 version, including one of Verdi’s most innovative central finales.
Sir Mark Elder leads a star cast including Eri Nakimura as Amelia, Iván Ayón-Rivas as her lover Gabriele, William Thomas as Fiesco and the young Argentinian baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara in the title role.
Contents and tracklist
Spotlight on this release
-
An error occurred.
Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.
-
An error occurred.
Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.
-
An error occurred.
Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.
-
An error occurred.
Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.
-
Germán Enrique Alcántara on Simon Boccanegra
The rising Argentinian baritone discusses his recent recording debut on Opera Rara (which saw him stepping in to sing Verdi's troubled Doge at very short notice), his two transformative years on the Jette Parker Artists Programme at Covent Garden, and why it 'takes a village' to raise an opera-singer...
-
Verdi's original version of Simon Boccanegra from Sir Mark Elder and Opera Rara
The 1857 incarnation of Verdi's political thriller is brought vividly to life, with outstanding playing from The Hallé and a terrific, committed young cast headed by Argentinian baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara (making his recording-debut in the title-role).
Awards and reviews
-
Presto Recording of the Week21st March 2025
-
Gramophone MagazineMay 2025Editor's Choice
May 2025
Exceptional vocal performances from Argentinean baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara in the title role, rising bass William Thomas as his foe Jacopo Fiesco and Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas as his enemy turned supporter, Gabriele Adorno.
22nd March 2025
With his long operatic experience [Elder] conducts a scrupulously-prepared performance cast with young voices. Germán Enrique Alcántara has the right grit and authority for the plebeian Doge of Genoa Boccanegra.
May 2025
It is the Hallé that is as much of a star of the show as any of the principals. Any regret that the opportunity was not taken of employing a period orchestra is swept away by the magnificence of the playing.
21st March 2025
Taken on its own terms the 1857 score provides thrills and spills aplenty, and it’s impossible not to be swept along by Elder’s palpable belief in its power and immediacy. Another compelling reason to invest in this new recording is the quality of the male principals: this is a very young cast for an opera which is dominated by the power-struggles between elder statesmen, and it’s wonderful to hear three relative newcomers making their mark with such presence and assurance.
20th March 2025
You know you’re in for something special with the prelude’s stabbing opening chords: an early sign that Elder knows exactly how to generate tension, crucial in minimising audience fog patches later on. The singers, two of them late replacements, also deliver the goods…Verdi’s revised version of 1881, more florid, less taut, may still dominate the opera houses but Elder’s splendid resurrection of the original can’t be ignored.
What our community is saying
Download queue
| Album | Track | Format | Quality | Status |
|---|