An opera by Verdi for connoisseurs. Whilst at first a flop, just like Traviata, in more recent times audience have placed Simon Boccanegra firmly within the repertoire of the greats. An inconsolable sadness thinly veils a disloyal world of disputes, interests and ambitions in which social groups – Patricians and plebeians – clash head on.

In the midst of all this, the elderly doge and ex-corsair Boccanegra is forced to subdue furious revolts, stupidity and betrayals. His only consolation in this archaic, predatory Genoa comes when he finds his lost daughter, who remains by his side through the last part of his life.

Plácido Domingo has become a baritone so he can take the part of this Verdi key figure, under the direction of Daniel Barenboim.