An opera about power and reconciliation
Simon Boccanegra, one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most iconic operas, arrives at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in a new production directed by Àlex Ollé. First premiered in 1857 and revised in 1881, this work marks a turning point in the Italian composer’s maturity. Verdi found in Antonio García Gutiérrez’s drama the perfect structure to explore political and emotional conflicts, with music that is more fluid and less conventional than in his earlier works.
Àlex Ollé’s staging
Ollé transposes the story of Simon Boccanegra—a corsair turned ruler searching for his lost daughter amid political conspiracies—into a contemporary setting. His scenographic proposal evokes a Tower of Babel, where costumes blend 14th-century elements with modern symbols of power. The Catalan director reflects fractured societies and institutions unable to reconcile, a theme that resonates with today’s world.
Performances and details
The opera will be performed in the Main Hall of Palau de les Arts across five performances:
- 28 February 2027 (premiere).
- 3, 7, 10, and 13 March 2027.
Musical direction is led by Sir Mark Elder, who has previously worked with this score. While the final cast has not been announced, the production is backed by the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV).
Tickets and audience
- Price: From €10.
- Age restriction: None (for all audiences).
- Ticket status: Sold out for all performances.
