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La Gioconda
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, November 20, 1926 Matinee
La Gioconda (89)
Amilcare Ponchielli | Arrigo Boito
- La Gioconda
- Rosa Ponselle
- Enzo
- Beniamino Gigli
- Laura
- Jeanne Gordon
- Barnaba
- Mario Basiola
- Alvise
- Ezio Pinza
- La Cieca
- Merle Alcock
- Singer/Zu?ne
- Vincenzo Reschiglian
- Is?po
- Giordano Paltrinieri
- Monk
- Louis D'Angelo
- Steersman
- Pompilio Malatesta
- Conductor
- Tullio Serafin
- Director
- Samuel Thewman
- Set Designer
- Antonio Rovescalli
- Set Designer
- Joseph Novak
- Costume Designer
- Mathilde Castel-Bert
- Choreographer
- August Berger
La Gioconda received eight performances this season.
Review 1:
Review of Grena Bennett in the New York American
'LA GIOCONDA' WELCOMED BY OPERA CROWD
Miss Ponselle Heads All-Star Cast at Matinee Offering of Metropolitan Company
"La Gioconda" was restored to the active repertory of the Metropolitan Opera Company yesterday afternoon. Those who love serene, sensuous music do not cavil at the story of battle, murder and sudden death when so generous a portion of melody, comforting harmony and attractive stage pictures are offered. Ponchielli's measures may be old-fashioned to modern ears tuned to dissonance and rasping sounds, but to others the score never fails to charm, and the ballet is ever a source of delight. Then, too, yesterday's cast deserved to be declared an "all-star" one, headed by Rosa Ponselle and Beniamino Gigli with Jeanne Gordon, Mario Basiola, Merle Alcock and Ezio Pinza crowding close to the leaders.
MISS PONSELLE IN TITLE ROLE
The title role was sung by Miss Ponselle whose voice, like liquid gold, entranced her hearers and frequently enticed them to enthusiasm. Mr. Gigli as Enzo sang, among other things, of "Sky and Sea" with tones as lovely as they were opulent. Mr. Basiola as the doughty villain and spy of the Inquisition, substituted for Giuseppe Danise, who was indisposed. He has sung better, but last minute substitutions are nerve-wracking affairs which usually take some toll on the artist. Miss Gordon was a stately Laura, whose share of the music was acceptable, and Merle Alcock, as the blind mother, was a vocal treat.
Search by season: 1926-27
Search by title: La Gioconda,
Met careers
- Tullio Serafin [Conductor]
- Rosa Ponselle [La Gioconda]
- Beniamino Gigli [Enzo]
- Jeanne Gordon [Laura]
- Mario Basiola [Barnaba]
- Ezio Pinza [Alvise]
- Merle Alcock [La Cieca]
- Vincenzo Reschiglian [Singer/Zu?ne]
- Giordano Paltrinieri [Is?po]
- Louis D'Angelo [Monk]
- Pompilio Malatesta [Steersman]
- Samuel Thewman [Director]
- August Berger [Choreographer]
- Antonio Rovescalli [Set Designer]
- Joseph Novak [Set Designer]
- Mathilde Castel-Bert [Costume Designer]