Amilcare Ponchielli La Gioconda

La Gioconda is a work that forms kind of a bridge between Verdi's Romanticism and emerging Verismo and, with its great ballet entry, also refers to the tradition of French opera. However, it is certainly not a sentimental idyll that was still composed at the time of its creation (1876) - it is a realistic drama that presents the turbulent fates of its actors so credibly that it could easily be an image of contemporary society. Under the cheerful carnival exterior, Renaissance Venice conceals intrigues, a tangle of the invincible power of the authorities, secret police, spies and the state inquisition. It's fun in fear, laughing through tears. Against the backdrop of such a social situation, the intricate fates of the main characters of the love triangle are taking place - Gioconda, Laura and Enzo, accompanied by the villain Barnaba.