In a major release in Verdi year, Deccas star tenor Joseph Calleja makes his first major opera release in a lead role, singing Gabriele Adorno in a stunning new Simon Boccanegra for Verdis bicentenary year.

Calleja sings Gabriele Adorno opposite Thomas Hampsons Simon Boccanegra in a live concert performance recorded at the Vienna Konzerthaus.

The first-class cast also includes Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais as Amelia, Luca Pisaroni as Paolo and Carlo Colombara as Fiesco. Top-league Italian conductor Massimo Zanetti leads the Wiener Symphoniker and Wiener Singakademie.

One of Verdis most compelling works, depicting the personal price of political success; moments of tender intimacy contrasted against the fiery drama of state politics and personal enmity.

Reviewing the performance, the Kurier exclaimed: What a voice, what poetry, what melodiousness, what radiance! Die Presse stated: There are not many tenors who can sing the role of Adorno as unpretentiously, tastefully, and free of bad habits as Joseph Calleja.

Soloists: Thomas Hampson, Kristine Opolais, Joseph Calleja, Luca Pisaroni, Carlo Colombara.
Conductor: Massimo Zanetti
Wiener Symphoniker
Wiener Singakademie

Audio CD (October 29, 2013)
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Decca
ASIN: B00E00GW8U