La Gioconda: Act II (tenor): Cielo e mar

Italian composer Amilcare Ponchielli’s (1834-1886) 4-act opera La Gioconda was first performed by La Scala in Milan on April 8, 1876, and was an immediate success, acting as a bridge between the Verdi’s Aida and Otello. The libretto, by Arrigo Boito (as Tobia Gorrio), is derived from the 1835 Victor Hugo play Angelo, Tyrant of Padua. It tells the tale of La Gioconda, a young woman in love with a man (Enzo). But she aids and eventually sacrifices herself for Laura, her rival for Enzo’s love, when Laura unknowingly saves La Gioconda’s mother. The opera remains a staple in the western opera repertoire, particularly in Italy, and the ballet scene in Act III, Dance of the Hours, has become famous in it’s own right, with it’s inclusion in the original 1940 Fantasia by Disney propelling it to household recognition. Cielo e mar! is sung by Enzo in Act II, titled Il Rosario (The Rosary) as he waits on his ship for his love Laura to arrive. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.1.0.0: Timp: Hp: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Tenor Voice.