La Gioconda (opera)

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La Gioconda is an opera in four acts by Amilcare Ponchielli to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Angelo by Victor Hugo. First performance: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1876.

La Gioconda was a major success for Ponchielli, especially in its third and latest version (Teatro alla Scala, Milan, March 28, 1880), as well as the greatest success in the history of Italian opera between Verdi's Aida (1871) and Otello (1887). It is also the most famous example of the Italian genre of Grande opera, the equivalent of French Grand-Opèra.

There are many recordings of the opera, and it is frequently performed. It is one of only a few operas that features a principal role for each of the six major voice types.

Contents

[edit] Characters

  • Principal roles
  • Minor roles
    • Zuàne - Bass
    • Isèpo - Tenor
  • Other
    • Monk - Baritone
    • Pilot - Bass
    • Two street singers - Baritone
    • Offstage singer - Bass
    • Voice in the distance - Tenor
    • Grand councillor - Mute
    • Councillor of the ten - Mute
    • Boatswain - Mute
    • Sail master - Mute
    • Moor - Mute
    • Doge - Mute
    • Workers, senators, priests, nobles, sailors, children - Chorus

[edit] Setting

Time: 17th century

Place: Venice

[edit] Synopsis

Each act of "La Gioconda" is titled:

  • Act I: "The Lion's Mouth"
  • Act II: "The Rosary"
  • Act III: "The House of Gold"
  • Act IV: "The Orfano Canal"

The opera's title translates to "The Ballad Singer," but the Italian title is usually used.

[edit] Noted sequences

  • "Voce di donna o d'angelo" (La Cieca)
  • "O monumento" (Barnaba)
  • "Cielo e mar" (Enzo)
  • Dance of the hours
  • "Suicidio!" (Gioconda)
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