13-20 Nov 2007. Conducted by Michele Mariotti, directed by Giorgio Gallione, with Roberto Frontali, Carmen Giannattasio, Giacomo Prestia and Giuseppe Gipali.

The Teatro Comunale of Bologna inaugurates its 2007-2008 season with Simon Boccanegra by Verdi (13-20 Nov). The principal players are Roberto Frontali, Carmen Giannattasio, Giacomo Prestia and Giuseppe Gipali, while the conductor is Michele Mariotti and the director Giorgio Gallione. On paper it is an interesting cast, alternating famous and emerging names. And although the opera is outside the usual great repertory, it is a very beautiful, original and in some ways innovative work. But the big news is a project dear to the heart of the artistic director of the theatre, Marco Tutino: the recital of Simon Boccanegra on 18 Nov will be projected live in 50 cinemas across Bologna, in high definition thanks to a satellite transmission system. A praiseworthy initiative that allows the opera to transcend the confines of the Teatro Comunale and to reach wider strata of the population, who have maybe never been to the opera but in this way can have the experience, even if through a cinema screen. The project will be repeated with another title on the programme, Norma by Bellini, which debuts on 29 April 2008. Paolo Di Nicola