When does the premiere of Simon Boccanegra take place?

The premiere begins on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM at OPAL in Mannheim.

Is there an introduction before the performance?

Yes, a short introduction begins on the day of the event at 6:15 PM.

How long is the opera?

The performance lasts about three hours including a break after the first act.

In which language is Simon Boccanegra sung?

The opera is performed in Italian with German and English surtitles.

How much does a ticket cost?

Tickets for the premiere are available from 23 Euros according to event information.

Where does the performance take place?

The premiere takes place at OPAL, Theodor-Heuss-Anlage 10, 68165 Mannheim.

Simon Boccanegra in Mannheim: Verdi's opera between power, loss, and forgiveness

Name: Simon Boccanegra
Start: 2026-10-24T19:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-24T22:00:00+02:00
Location: OPAL

Simon Boccanegra: Verdi's dark family drama at OPAL

A grave, a throne, a lost daughter: Giuseppe Verdi's opera Simon Boccanegra unfolds a gripping music theater on political power, personal guilt, and the longing for peace at OPAL in Mannheim on October 24, 2026. The premiere begins at 7:00 PM, with a short introduction starting at 6:15 PM.

Between the ruler's crown and personal loss

At the center is the corsair Simon Boccanegra, who is proclaimed Doge of Genoa and learns of the death of his beloved Maria at the same moment. What begins as a political rise transforms into a tragedy of grief, family conflicts, and unfulfilled hopes. The search for the long-lost daughter intertwines with bitter accusations and the tensions of a society shaped by power struggles.

Verdi's late work with great dramatic force

Simon Boccanegra is one of Verdi's mature operas. More than twenty years after the premiere, the composer fundamentally revised the work together with Arrigo Boito, creating the version that continues to fascinate today with its concentrated dramaturgy and deep emotional conflicts. The opera combines political dimensions with intimate acting and allows personal relationships to clash with great historical forces.

A new production for OPAL

Director Yona Kim brings the work to the stage of the opera at Luisenpark as a family drama. David Hohmann is responsible for the set design, Frank Schönwald for the costumes, and Damian Chmielarz for the lighting. Thus, a stage experience is created where realms of power, memories, and family abysses coalesce into a compelling theatrical atmosphere.

Italian singing, German surtitles

The performance will be sung in Italian with German and English surtitles. The musical direction is led by Roberto Rizzi Brignoli and Luka Hauser. The National Theater Orchestra, the opera choir of the National Theater, extra choir, and extra performers bring Verdi's score its orchestral and vocal grandeur. The performance lasts about three hours and includes a break after the first act.

Conclusion: Opera as a space of tension between power and forgiveness

The premiere of Simon Boccanegra promises an intense opera experience with grand music, charged family relationships, and staging that presents Verdi's political tragedy as a humanly immediate drama. Those seeking the connection of acting, choral effect, and dramatic music will experience an evening of lasting impact at OPAL.