The revisions , not al l of which involve d
Boito, were finished by February 1881; and the opera was first given in its
new form on 24 March with Victor Maurel in the title role, Edouard De
Reszke as Fiesco (despite Verdi's fears tha t his voice might b e too bland
for th e implacable patrician) and Francesco Tamagno as Gabriele. Much
acclaimed o n it s opening night, Simon Boccanegra prove d scarcely more
popular in its revised than in its original form; onl y in recent years has it
acquired the statu s of a connoisseur's piece.
