Saturday at 1 pm, Plácido Domingo and Francesco Meli star as father and son in Verdi's The Two Foscari, based on the play by Lord Byron. James Conlon conducts the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and Chorus in this production, which also features Russian soprano Marina Poplavskaya.
The opera begins as the doge, Francesco, is forced by the Venetian Council to address illegal dealings and accusations of murder lodged against his son, Jacopo. Despite the pleadings of Jacopo's wife, Lucrezia, the younger Foscari is imprisoned and sentenced to exile. Though another man eventually confesses to the murder, it is too late. Jacopo dies upon the ship bringing him to his exile in Crete. The tragedy strikes the already grieving Francesco, who is forced to step down from his position. Shortly thereafter, the elder Foscari dies of a broken heart.
Cast:
Francesco Foscari: Plácido Domingo
Jacopo Foscari: Francesco Meli
Lucrezia Contarini: Marina Poplavskaya
Jacopo Loredano: Ievgen Orlov
Barbarigo: Ben Bliss
Pisana: Tracy Cox
Servant: Hunter Phillips
Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and Chorus
James Conlon, conductor