Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi Metropolitan Opera March 6, 1995 Act 1, Scene 2 in this performance could serve as a prototype for grand opera: lush, crowded, loud and opulent. Beautiful costumes complemented by fine singing; massed voices choreographed in a pagaent-like staging. It was a high point in an altogether plesant and enjoyable evening. Placido Domingo was the headliner, of course, but Vladimir Chernov did the heavy lifting in the title role. I was surprised and delighted by his performance: a clean, ringing tone that tired in Act 2 but surged back for a strong finish in the big final scene. His acting was especially strong, as well: great presence on stage, like a Mafia don. Domingo sang the undemanding role of Adorno well and was the consumate professional. We were to have heard Aprile Millo as Maria; she was sick, and Andrea Gruber sang well as her substitute. I also very luch enjoyed Roberto Scandiuzzi singing Jacopo Fiesco: a very round, smooth tone, velvet with a rich bottom. James Levine conducted and the orchestra was characteristically commanding -- if a little loud. A non-musical note: I went through a small circus buying a ticket out front. I was worried that I wouldn't get a seat (sold out Domingo performance) so I took the first I saw offered: a pair of cheap seats, $21 each. I sold one of them immediately. Shortly afterward I bought an orchestra seat for $65 and then tried to sell my second cheap seat. I wound up selling it for $10 five minutes before the curtain.