Morning:
13°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Fiona Maddocks's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Ian Judge.
Cast: The Royal Opera, John Gunter (des), John Eliot Gardiner (cond), Lucio Gallo (Simon Boccanegra), Natalia Ushakova (Amelia Grimaldi, May 13, 16), Anja Harteros (Amelia Grimaldi), Marcus Haddock (Gabriele Adorno), Marco Vratogna (Paolo), Orlin Anastassov (Fiesco), Krzysztof Szumanski (Pietro)
Description: John Eliot Gardiner takes the baton as Ian Judge directs Verdi's dramatic tale of love, politics and power among the ruling classes of 14th-century Genoa. Lucio Gallo sings Simon Boccanegra, while Anja Harteros takes the role of Amelia Grimaldi (except for May 13th and 16th, when the part is played by Natalia Ushakova). Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Trains: Tube: Covent Garden 
Phone: 0207304 4000
Website: www.roh.org.uk
Email: onlinebooking@roh.org.uk
Extra info: Food, Air Conditioning
Vivid tonal range: German Soprano Anja Harteros played Amelia
Verdi called his first attempt at Simon Boccanegra a “wobbly table”, which he fixed with major revisions nearly a quarter of a century later in 1881. The phrase hung in the mind at the start of Covent Garden’s staging of this later version, directed by Ian Judge and conducted by John Eliot Gardiner.
Several 11th-hour cast changes, together with John Gunter’s oppressive, post-modernist fixed set didn’t bode well. First seen in 1997, its topsy-turvy mix of medieval Genoa and Risorgimento Italy lets in no daylight, with little sense of the all-embracing sea so audible in Verdi’s score.
At first the ponderous action failed to match the music’s glinting ebb and flow, played with precision and intensity by the ROH orchestra under Gardiner’s impassioned direction. Then, post-interval, everyone suddenly pulled together with sharper focus and energy. If the set looked no better, the performance crackled into blazing life, reminding us why this overlooked opera, almost Shakespearean in emotional complexity, can be counted one of Verdi’s finest. The chance to hear it, whether in this or the original 1857 version, always rewards.
As Amelia, German soprano Anja Harteros made her house debut with stylish conviction and vivid tonal range. Marcus Haddock’s Adorno had lyrical dignity at his terrible moment of remorse. Marco Vratogna (Paolo) mustered snakish venom. Ferrucio Furlanetto, a luxury last-minute cover for illness, excelled as Fiesco.
In the title role, Lucio Gallo struggled at first, dragging the pace and flattening top notes, but proceeded to deliver a performance of heartfelt integrity and psychological depth.
Verdi’s great study of leadership shows how a flawed man with a buccaneering past learns wisdom, forgetting old enmities for the good of the city-state he loves.
In his first week in office, London’s new mayor should get over to see it — fast.
Until 24 May (020 7304 4000)
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
