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Despite its title, which means "The Joyful One," La Gioconda is no barrel of laughs; true to the old-fashioned grand operatic tradition in which it was conceived, it feeds on a steady diet of tragedy and disappointment. Fortunately, Ponchielli's score provides many reasons to smile in the form of great arias, duets, ensembles and choruses, and, of course, the "Dance of the Hours," and EMI's 2002 recording, led by Marcello Viotti, captures all of them nicely. Violeta Urmana delivers a beautifully sung, and at times moving performance as the title character; her fourth-act "Suicidio!..." is more restrained than some, but this lends honesty to the moment. Plácido Domingo is superb as Prince Enzo, bringing intensity and vocal coloration to the role and rarely betraying his 60-plus years of age at the time of recording. Lado Ataneli's Barnaba is perfectly characterized, and Luciana D'Intino brings a ravishing mezzo soprano to bear on the role of Laura; her voice is the most innately striking on the recording. The other roles, including that of Alvise (sung with weight by Roberto Scandiuzzi), are equally well realized. The Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks is delightfully scene-stealing, and the Münchner Rundfunkorchester plays with sharpness and lyricism. Viotti keeps the opera moving, and manages to integrate its many elements in a way that maximizes dramatic impact without sacrificing musical precision or beauty of sound.
© TiVo
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David Groves, Producer - Wilhelm Meister, Producer - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Klemens Kamp, Engineer
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Kristian Benedikt, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Paolo Battaglia, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Kristian Benedikt, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Paolo Battaglia, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Kristian Benedikt, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Paolo Battaglia, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Kristian Benedikt, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Wolfgang Klose, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
DISC 2
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Tim Hennis, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Luciana D'Intino, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
DISC 3
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Placido Domingo, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chorus, FeaturedArtist - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roberto Scandiuzzi, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Münchner Kinderchor, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Elisabetta Fiorillo, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lado Ataneli, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Paolo Battaglia, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Orchestra - Amilcare Ponchielli, Composer - Arrigo Boito, Poet - Marcello Viotti, Conductor, MainArtist - Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Hans Werner Bunz, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Wilfried Vorwold, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
Album review
Despite its title, which means "The Joyful One," La Gioconda is no barrel of laughs; true to the old-fashioned grand operatic tradition in which it was conceived, it feeds on a steady diet of tragedy and disappointment. Fortunately, Ponchielli's score provides many reasons to smile in the form of great arias, duets, ensembles and choruses, and, of course, the "Dance of the Hours," and EMI's 2002 recording, led by Marcello Viotti, captures all of them nicely. Violeta Urmana delivers a beautifully sung, and at times moving performance as the title character; her fourth-act "Suicidio!..." is more restrained than some, but this lends honesty to the moment. Plácido Domingo is superb as Prince Enzo, bringing intensity and vocal coloration to the role and rarely betraying his 60-plus years of age at the time of recording. Lado Ataneli's Barnaba is perfectly characterized, and Luciana D'Intino brings a ravishing mezzo soprano to bear on the role of Laura; her voice is the most innately striking on the recording. The other roles, including that of Alvise (sung with weight by Roberto Scandiuzzi), are equally well realized. The Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks is delightfully scene-stealing, and the Münchner Rundfunkorchester plays with sharpness and lyricism. Viotti keeps the opera moving, and manages to integrate its many elements in a way that maximizes dramatic impact without sacrificing musical precision or beauty of sound.
© TiVo
About the album
- 3 disc(s) - 57 track(s)
- Total length: 02:48:09
- Main artists: Violeta Urmana Plácido Domingo Marcello Viotti Münchner Rundfunkorchester
- Composer: Amilcare Ponchielli
- Label: Warner Classics
- Genre: Classical Opera
A Warner Classics release, © 2013 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 Parlophone Records Limited
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