Verdi

Simon Boccanegra

New Production
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and Arrigo Boito
Performed in Italian with English supertitles
Part of Festival O23

A powerhouse cast and some of Verdi's most sumptuous music fuel this sweeping story that mixes political turmoil with poignant family drama.

Baritone Quinn Kelsey stars as Simon Boccanegra, a leader coming into great power who must balance duty to his nation with his duties as a father after his long-lost daughter Amelia (sopranos Ana María Martínez and Jennifer Rowley) reenters his life. Surrounded by poisonous rivals, can he be the man those who love him need him to be and survive the plots of those who hate him?

Opera Philadelphia has partnered with Art-Reach and Nicole Sardella to provide Audio Description for this production on September 29. Learn more>>

Full Synopsis

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MapAcademy of Music

Dates are Sep - Oct 2023.

Fri, Sep 22	8:00 p.m.
Sun, Sep 24	2:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 29	8:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 1	2:00 p.m.

Approximately 3 hours including one 20-minute intermission

Production from Opéra Royal de Wallonie – Liege (Belgium)

Opera Philadelphia's 2023-2024 Season is brought to you by the Artistry Now Matching Fund and Barbara Augusta Teichert.

Maestro Corrado Rovaris' engagement as the Jack Mulroney Music Director has been made possible by Mrs. John P. Mulroney

Cast & Creative Team

Quinn KelseySimon Boccanegra *Underwritten by Stephen K. Klasko, M.D., M.B.A. and Colleen Wyse*

Ana María MartínezMaria Boccanegra/Amelia Grimaldi (September 22 & 24) *Underwritten by Carolyn Horn Seidle*

Jennifer Rowley *Maria Boccanegra/Amelia Grimaldi (September 29 & October 1)

Christian Van HornJacopo Fiesco *Underwritten by Sandra Baldino*

Richard Trey Smagur *Gabriele Adorno *Underwritten by John and Katherine Karatmatsoukas*

Benjamin TaylorPaolo Albiani *Underwritten by Mrs. Sheila Kessler*

Lauren Cook *Maid of Amelia (September 22 & 24)

Robin Bier *Maid of Amelia (September 29 & October 1)

Gary McCann Set Design
Fernand Ruiz * Costume Design
John Bishop * Lighting Design
Matteo Anselmi * Associate Director
Elizabeth Braden Chorus Master
Micah Gleason * Assistant Chorus Master
Jennifer Shaw Stage Manager
Aletha Saunders * Assistant Stage Manager
Brianna Thompson * Assistant Stage Manager
*Opera Philadelphia debut

The Composer

Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was born on October 10, 1813 in the small village of Roncole in Italy. At this time, however, the country of Italy did not yet exist but, rather, the area was made up of several small states, most under the domination of foreign powers. When Verdi was born, the village of Roncole, and its surrounding province of Parma, was under the control of the French. In fact, Verdi’s original birth certificate is French with his name registered as Joseph Fortunin François. Read more.