This is the first time
we saw this opera by Verdi. We are
not familiar with the story, but all we knew is that Placido Domingo played the
lead role of Simon. It is such an
honor to hear the master sing. He
could be very well sitting back being the Director of the LA Opera and many
other opera houses around the world, but he stays on top of his game by
performing periodically.
In 1339, Simon is
brought into power as the Doge of Genoa who was just a sailor and
mercenary. This is due to the
influence of Paolo Algiani who is a power in the leading party. Simon agrees so that he can be worthy
enough to marry his love, Maria.
They already have a daughter Amelia. But Maria dies and their daughter vanishes. Maria’s father, Fiesco doesn’t forgive
Simon for Maria’s death and the disappearance of his granddaughter.
25 years later, Simon’s
daughter Amelia grows up in the Grimaldi family who had been exiled. Fiesco is her guardian, but doesn’t
know who she really is. I don’t
remember how she came to be in the Grimaldi family, but it does sound a bit
farfetched that Fiesco doesn’t know who she really is if she has the slightest
resemblance to her mother. But ah,
this is an opera.
Simon pardons the
Grimaldi family and promises Amelia to Paolo. But as he gets to know Amelia and she reminisces about
memories as a girl, he realizes who she really is. He then dismisses the promise of marriage to Paolo so that
she can marry her true love, Gabriele Adorno.
Paolo, seeking vengeance,
orders his men to kidnap Amelia, but they fail. Simon suspects Paolo, so curses the kidnappers and orders
Paolo to do the same. To keep from
incriminating himself, Paolo reluctantly curses himself.
So then Paolo poisons
Simon. Paolo is found out and is led away to be executed. Simon eventually dies, but only after
he belts out a dying aria and blesses the marriage of Amelia and Adorno. He also requests that Adorno succeed
him as the Doge. The crowd cheers the new Doge as they respect Simon’s dying
wish.
Beautiful performance by
Placido. I don’t remember the others to comment, because Placido was the
memorable star.
