from Act II of the Italian opera La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli

Libretto: Arrigo Boito

Role: Barnaba, a spy for the Inquisition

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: The deck of Enzo's ship, 17th century

Synopsis: Barnaba sings a merry fisherman's ballad along with Enzo's crew. However, his cheerfulness is merely a front in order to measure the strength of Enzo's men.

from Act I of the Italian opera La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli

Libretto: Arrigo Boito

Role: Barnaba, a spy for the Inquisition

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: Courtyard of the Duke's Palace, Venice, 17th century

Synopsis: Barnaba has arranged to meet with Enzo later in the day in order to bring Laura (the Duke's wife) to Enzo for a lover's meeting. Unbeknownst to Enzo, Barnaba plans to betray Enzo and writes an anonymous letter to the Inquisition disclosing the time and location of the meeting, explaining each of his actions as he writes them.

from Act III, Scene 1 of the Italian opera La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli

Libretto: Arrigo Boito

Role: Duke Alvise Badoero, a leader of the Inquisition, husband of Laura

Voice Part: bass       Fach: heavy bass

Setting: A room in Alvise's palace, Venice, 17th century

Synopsis: Duke Alvise has found out that Laura has betrayed him with another man. He plans to have his revenge during a party.

from Act II of the Italian opera La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli

Libretto: Arrigo Boito

Role: Enzo Grimaldo, a Genoese nobleman

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto tenor

Setting: The deck of Enzo's ship, 17th century

Synopsis: As Enzo stands watch on his ship, he awaits the arrival of his love Laura. He sings of the sea and sky around him and his love.

from Act I of the Italian opera La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli

Libretto: Arrigo Boito

Role: La Cieca, mother of La Gioconda

Voice Part: contralto       Fach: contralto

Setting: Courtyard of the Duke's Palace, Venice, 17th century

Synopsis: After La Cieca is accused of witchcraft by Barnaba, the crowd begins to threaten the old woman's life. She is saved in the nick of time by Laura and her husband Duke Alvise. Grateful, La Cieca gives Laura a rosary along with her blessing.

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.

from Act II of the Italian opera La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli

Libretto: Arrigo Boito

Role: Laura, wife of Duke Alvise and lover of Enzo

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: dramatic mezzo

Setting: The deck of Enzo's ship, the docks of Venice, 17th century

Synopsis: After Enzo and Laura plan their elopement, Enzo goes below-decks to ready himself. Laura prays for protection from the forces that wish to keep the two lovers apart : namely her husband Duke Alvise and Enzo's fiancee La Gioconda.