from Act IV of the Italian opera
La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli
Libretto: Arrigo Boito
Role: La Gioconda, a ballad singer, daughter of La Cieca
Voice Part: soprano Fach: dramatic soprano
Setting: A room in a ruined palace on the Giudecca island, Venice, 17th century
Synopsis: La Gioconda's life is in shambles. She is engaged to Enzo but he does not love her. He instead loves Laura who La Gioconda has saved from Laura's vindictive husband several times. In order to save Enzo as well, La Gioconda has offered herself to the evil spy Barnaba. In addition, her mother has disappeared. She now contemplates suicide, hoping that it will release her from some of the pain she feels.