Giuseppe Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” would not make the top ten in popularity polls, or pick a viewer’s curiosity with its convoluted and rather obscure story line. What makes it a major event in San Francisco Opera, though, is the pure magic of art, delivered by profoundly touching music and understated set serving as a velvet backdrop for the jewel of Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. He shines in the title role—his voice, physique and acting skills creating a winning combination of amazing talent and natural good looks. The opera presents a challenge in that there is only one female part (sopranos Barbara Frittoli and Ana Maria Martinez on different dates) and the most action is packed in male duets of various characters, all connected through bloodline, murder, or desire for revenge, prevalent in the mid-fourteenth century Genoa’s world order. The cast braves this hard-to-perform piece with flying colors. Vitalij Kowaljow (a glorious bass, originally from Ukraine) in the role of Jacopo Fiesco, Marcus Haddock as Gabriele Adorno, Patrick Carfizzi as Paolo Albiani, and Kenneth Kellogg as Pietro all deliver great performances for the season opening. Conductor Donald Runnicles, original production by Elijah Moshinsky, director David Edwards. Simon Boccanegra runs through September 27 at the War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., SF. www.sfopera.com Photo by Terrence McCarthy. Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Simon Boccanegra.
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