Simon Boccanegra

Published Thursday 8 May 2008 at 11:05 by George Hall

Ian Judge’s production of Verdi’s most sombre opera dates from 1997, though it looks a good deal older. In what is basically a unit set by John Gunter, the darkness of the drama is suggested though there is little sense of any exterior locations. Gestures and acting tend to come from stock, with hardly any of the central performances rising to three-dimensional reality.

An exception must be made for Lucio Gallo’s finely achieved representation of the title role, which he sings magnificently and explores in depth. As yet he still has some distance to go with one of Verdi’s most developed creations, but greatness lies within his reach. As his opponent Fiesco, Ferruccio Furlanetto is vocally presentable, but not the dark-hearted match for Boccanegra’s steadily increasing wisdom and generosity.

German soprano Anja Harteros makes her Covent Garden debut as Amelia. She looks fine and sings creditably, but shows little detailed awareness of her character’s constantly evolving situation. Marcus Haddock fields plenty of strong tone as her lover, Adorno, but dramatically he offers no more than a stand and deliver performance. Marco Vratogna produces some of the venom and malice required for the treacherous Paolo.

It’s not enough to suggest the greatness and subtlety of the work, which is one of Verdi’s finest, and though conductor John Eliot Gardiner shows a feeling for the score’s muted colouring, there’s no Verdian fire and fury in his belly either.