Verdi : Simon Boccanegra. Domingo, Barenboim.

   in Opera Now (Jul, 2012)
Domingo again, this time closer to the end of his career than the beginning, singing the baritone role of Simon Boccanegra. The production, rumoured to be a farewell tour though there’s no sign of that yet, was performed in several opera houses and recorded when it reached La Scala. Daniel Barenboim in the pit sets some suitably slow tempi appropriate for a rather gloomy production. Some of the best singing comes from Anja Harteros as Amelia. Her distinctive voice and strong stage presence almost steal the limelight, but not quite. Domingo may be a consummate performer, but there’s no escaping he’s a tenor, lacking the really low notes. A curiosity. …