Opera Rara join forces once again with The Hallé in Manchester to record and perform the newly edited original version of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. The new Ricordi edition of the 1857 Simon Boccanegra, by Opera Rara’s Repertoire Consultant Roger Parker, is the first based on Verdi’s autograph score of the opera, which has only recently become available to scholars. The 1881 version, considered by many commentators to be superior to its 1857 cousin, is performed regularly worldwide. However, we believe that if the 1881 revisions had not come into being, it is certain that the 1857 version would hold an important place in Verdi “canon”. We want to shine a new light on the original in a performance and new studio recording with some of the world’s greatest Verdi specialists.

Sir Mark Elder, in his final season as Music Director of The Hallé, leads an all-star cast. Argentinian baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara makes his role and Opera Rara debut in the title role. Eri Nakamura returns to The Hallé for her Opera Rara debut to sing the role of Amelia, Boccanegra’s illegitimate daughter. Returning to Opera Rara following his highly-acclaimed debut with the company in Mercadante’s Il proscritto, Iván Ayón-Rivas sings Amelia’s lover and Boccanegra’s rival Gabriele Adorno, and British bass and rising star William Thomas sings Jacopo Fiesco, Amelia’s grandfather.