Sherrill Milnes brought vivid theatrical force to his portrait of Simon Boccanegra, the 14th century Doge of Genoa who battles private demons and political enemies. Only the greatest Verdi baritones manage to put their individual stamp on this monumental role, and Milnes succeeds brilliantly, mixing poetry and power to reveal Boccanegra’s heart to the audience. Anna Tomowa-Sintow is the long-lost daughter he finds, but, he discovers, she loves Gabriele Adorno (Vasile Moldoveanu), a man determined to destroy him. James Levine’s superb conducting and Tito Capobianco’s dramatic production add to the gripping performance. Performance date: December 29, 1984.