In a New ‘Simon Boccanegra,’ Family Ties Are Tightened
“Simon Boccanegra,” a story of fathers, politics, love and duty, is returning to La Scala, where personal connections to the opera run deep.Fathers and history loom large, both onstage and off, in the new La Scala staging of the Verdi opera “Simon Boccanegra,” running in Milan for seven performances from Feb. 1 to 24.For the director and conductor, it is an opportunity to embrace the opera professionally after a lifetime of personal connection. It is also an exciting undertaking for the baritone performing the title role.The director, Daniele Abbado, 66, is taking on his first “Simon Boccanegra” (he is also a designer, with Angelo Linzalata, in a production he describes as modern and abstract). Mr. Abbado attended the now-famous 1971 staging, which was conducted by his father, the prolific Claudio Abbado, who died in 2014. That staging helped make the opera a hit at La Scala — 90 years after its debut at the house.The conductor Claudio Abbado, who died in 2014. He conducted the 1971 staging, and his son Daniele Abbado will be directing the new “Simon Boccanegra” at La Scala next month.Jeremy Fletcher/RedfernsWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? More
