On Saturday 6 February, Pathè Buitenhof are showing another classic opera from The Metropolitan Opera, live from New York in high definition - Simon Boccanegra, the gripping political thriller about a father and his lost daughter. Five decades into a legendary Met career, Plácido Domingo makes history singing the baritone title role. With James Levine on the podium, Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, and James Morris star in Verdi’s gripping political thriller.

Genoa, 14th century. Paolo and Pietro, leaders of the plebeian party, conspire to overthrow the aristocracy. They name the popular former pirate Simon Boccanegra as their candidate for the office of Doge, the chief magistrate of the republic. Boccanegra accepts, hoping that his position will enable him to marry Maria, who has been imprisoned by her father, the patrician Fiesco, because she bore Boccanegra an illegitimate child.

The plebeians pledge their support to Boccanegra. When they leave, Fiesco appears, mourning Maria’s death. Boccanegra, unaware she has died, returns and tries to make peace with the patrician. Fiesco demands that he first be given his grandchild, but Boccanegra explains that she has disappeared (“Del mar sul lido”). Fiesco leaves and Boccanegra enters the palace, discovering Maria’s body. As he staggers outside, the crowd proclaims him Doge.

World premiere: Venice, Teatro La Fenice, March 12, 1857. Premiere of revised version: Milan, Teatro alla Scala, March 24, 1881

Director: Giancarlo del Monaco
Cast: Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, Plácido Domingo, James Morris
Length: 220 minutes
Showing: Saturday 6 February, 19:00, Pathè Buitenhof The Hague

Information source: The Metropolitan Opera

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