Simon Boccanegra, 7 November – 28 July 2010
The great Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo, 69 in January 2010, makes his debut as a baritone taking on the title role in Giuseppe Verdi's Simon Boccanegra. Domingo did actually sing baritone parts in various zarzuela (Spanish operetta) productions as a young performer; however, he went down the history of the opera as a brilliant tenor boasting an incredibly vast repertory. Simon Boccanegra is the singer's 129th opera role. The new production premieres at Unter den Linden, the Berlin State Opera, conducted by Daniel Barenboim; next year will see the same staging - starring Plácido Domingo - move to the Milan Teatro alla Scala. Domingo will also sing the part of Boccanegra in New York, London and Madrid, making the new production the main event of the 2009/2010 opera season. The singer has revealed in a number of interviews that completing his career as an opera singer with this particular role has always been his intention; however, he does claim to have plans of carry on singing tenor parts for at least a few more years. Asked whether he considers continuing to appear on the opera stage, Domingo says that he has no intention of overstaying his welcome as an active performer for a single day - as well as of leaving the stage a single day before his time.
Unter den Linden Berlin State Opera
7, 10, 13 November; 27, 30 March
www.staatsoper-berlin.de
New York Metropolitan Opera
18, 22, 25, 29 January; 2, 6 February
www.metoperafamily.org
Milan Teatro alla Scala
16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 29 April; 4, 7 May
www.teatroallascala.org
Covent Garden Royal Opera, London
29 June; 2, 5, 8, 13, 15 July
www.roh.org.uk
Madrid Teatro Real
22, 25, 28 July
www.teatro-real.es




