Verdis three act opera is performed by vladimir chernov kiri te kanawa placido domingo and the metropolitan opera chorus and orchestra conducted by james levine when plebeian simon boccanegra is nominated as the new doge of genoa he hopes he will be able to marry maria daughter of the outgoing doge fiesco fiesco however knows that boccanegra has made maria pregnant when maria dies in childbirth he tries to bargain with boccanegra to see his grandchild tragically the child has gone