Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Original 1857 Version)

A Forgotten Version

You know Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra—but did you know it exists in two versions?

Simon Boccanegra premiered in Venice in 1857 to a lukewarm reception. Verdi revised it heavily in 1881, giving us the “revised version” we know today.

And this Opera Rara recording is the world-premiere recording of the original 1857 version—a leaner, distinct masterpiece, very different from the familiar edition.

The Lean Original

The 1857 original is far leaner than the 1881 revision. It lacks the later-added court scene, is more compact in structure, and retains more of Verdi’s “early” style.

For listeners familiar with the revision, this is a listening experience both familiar and strange—the same plot, but different music.

This version matters not just because it is “rare.” It matters because it shows us how Verdi evolved from a conception into the final masterpiece.

The Famous Council Chamber

The most famous moment in Simon Boccanegra is the “council chamber” scene at the end of Act I—in which Boccanegra, amid a hostile assembly of nobles, reveals his identity.

In the 1857 original, this scene is more direct and raw than the revision, without so many later adornments. Alcántara’s Boccanegra here shows that inward, profound dignity.

Why Collect It

This recording was the talk of 2025 because it fills a long-standing gap in Verdi’s discography.

Alcántara earned the 2025 Presto New Artist recognition for it.

The Hallé Orchestra under Sir Mark Elder is a time-honored guarantee of British opera recording. They perform this “forgotten version” with both historical authenticity and musical vitality.

Further Listening

If you love Verdi, Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman—though from a different tradition—is likewise an opera of the sea, fate, and redemption. And the revised Simon Boccanegra can be listened to for comparison.