Sung with glorious musicality by a fine cast, there is no better chance to get really close to this extraordinary work than Fulham Opera’s clear, dynamic production. Director Fiona Williams’ 1980s gangster setting suits the power-mongering plot well: in sharp suits and shellsuits, with glittering watches and flick knives, the rival political gangs huddle on the street corners of Genoa, plotting mercilessly against each other, building to Verdi’s characteristically earth-shattering emotional finale.
Simon Boccanegra is one of my favourite operas; Fulham Opera are one of my favourite opera companies. They didn’t disappoint in this fine, lean and hungry production.
