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Simon Boccanegra
Giuseppe Verdi 1813 1901
Prologue
Two citizens of Genoa discuss the political situation now that the city-state is without a leader. One of them, Paolo, convinces the plebeian Simon Boccanegra that he must become the new Doge, for then the patrician Jacopo Fiesco will finally allow Boccanegra to marry Fiesco’s daughter Maria, with whom he already has a child. Boccanegra is elected Doge, only to hear that Maria has died.
Act I
Twenty-five years later. Boccanegra has kept the city at peace only with difficulty, both in its internal politics and in its foreign interests. He has never learnt what became of his daughter, also called Maria. The girl has been brought up under the name of Amelia Grimaldi by Fiesco, who himself has adopted the name of Pater Andrea. Fiesco does not realise that Amelia is his own granddaughter, thinking that she had long ago been kidnapped. Amelia’s beloved, the patrician Gabriele Adorno, swears with Fiesco to fight Boccanegra. The Doge pardons the conspirators and tells Amelia of Paolo’s wish to marry her. Amelia replies that she loves someone else and that furthermore, she is no Grimaldi. It becomes apparent that they are father and daughter; as they embrace, Paolo thinks that Boccanegra wants Amelia for himself and decides to kidnap her. The Doge pleads for peace with Venice in the Senate while a maddened crowd outside calls for his death. They rush into the council chamber, dragging Fiesco and Adorno with them; Gabriele had killed a certain Lorenzino after hearing rumours that Lorenzino had abducted Amelia. Amelia herself runs into the hall and declares that the man who tried to kidnap her is in that very room. Boccanegra understands the situation and demands that Paolo curse the miscreant. Paolo has no choice and obeys, knowing that he curses himself. Fiesco and Gabriele are imprisoned.
Act II
The Doge’s palace. Paolo pours poison into Boccanegra’s glass and has Fiesco and Gabriele brought from their dungeon. He demands that they stab Boccanegra in his sleep. Fiesco refuses; Gabriele hesitates until Paolo tells him that Amelia is Boccanegra’s mistress. Gabriele is left alone. Amelia enters and says in reply to Gabriele’s accusations that her love for Boccanegra is pure. Boccanegra enters and Gabriele hides on the balcony. Amelia tells her father that she loves Gabriele, even though he is one of Boccanegra’s enemies. She leaves and he falls asleep. Gabriele goes to kill Boccanegra, but Amelia returns and stays his hand. Boccanegra awakes and tells Gabriele that he is Amelia’s father. To the sounds of renewed revolt, Gabriele decides to fight at Boccanegra’s side.
Act III
The revolt has been crushed and Paolo is sentenced to death. He confesses his crimes to Fiesco, who reacts with disgust. Boccanegra enters; the poison that he had drunk is beginning its work and his death approaches. He tells Fiesco that Amelia is his daughter and therefore Fiesco’s granddaughter. The men are reconciled. Boccanegra blesses Maria and Gabriele, naming Gabriele as his successor. He dies. Fiesco presents the new Doge to the people.
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