Simon Boccanegra

At first it came as a delightful surprise to see this Simon Boccanegra libretto Francesco Maria Piave from the Teatro Comunale di Bologna available on DVD In November 2007 thirteen opera lovers from Michael Tismas Ovations International opera tour travelled to Teatro Municipale Valli in Emiglia Romana to see Bolognas production of Boccanegra Without exception everyone considered it an emotionally gripping performance of Verdis pessimistic tale of spiritual disturbance and foreboding What is evident while watching the DVD is the difference between the confident execution and polish of the Teatro Valli performance and the unfinished yet promising rendition caught at the operas prima in Bologna