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The Sunday Opera: Ponchielli's "La Gioconda" 1979 Archival Performance - Scotto & Pavarotti

Join us as we’re treated to an archival performance of “La Gioconda” from the San Francisco Opera this Sunday (9/7 – 3:00 p.m.).  This 1979 production of the Amilcare Ponchielli / Arrigo Boito (under the pseudonym/anagram Tobia Gorrio) opera features the debuts of Renata Scotto and Luciano Pavarotti in the roles of La Gioconda and Enzo Grimaldo.  The love story based on the play “Angelo, Tyrant of Padua” by Victor Hugo, follows a famous singer as she gives up her happiness and life for the man she loves because of a kindness shown to her mother by her rival.  This cast also includes Ferruccio Furlanetto as the evil Alvise, Norman Mittelmann as the treacherous Barnaba, Stefania Toczyska as the hapless Laura, and Margarita Lilova as Gioconda’s mother La Cieca.  The opera features Ponchielli’s arguably best known work “The Dance of the Hours,” so we’ll hear a lesser known work by Ponchielli after the opera when host Michael Kownacky brings you Ponchielli’s 1886 Mass which disappeared shortly after its much lauded premier only to found and recorded at the beginning of the 21st century.  The soloists for the Mass include tenor Park Young Bum, baritone Enrico Marbelli, and bass Alessandro Grato.  Also featured is cellist Claudio Giacomazzi.

Michael is program host and host of the WWFM Sunday Opera, Sundays at 3 pm, and co-host of The Dress Circle, Sundays at 7 pm.