Ponchielli: La Gioconda

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Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala di Milano

Antonino Votto

Callas’s second studio recording of La Gioconda was made in 1959, six years after her last stage performances of the role, which in 1947 has been the vehicle for her Italian debut (at the Arena di Verona). The recording came at a turning point in Callas’s life – when her relationship with Aristotle Onassis led to her separation from her husband, Giovanni Battista Meneghini. Writing in Gramophone in 1960, Philip Hope-Wallace said: ‘I simply cannot imagine anyone getting more out of the role than she does this time … the total effect is riveting.’ Joining Callas were two young Italian singers destined for great careers: the mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto as her rival, Laura, and, as the sinister Barnaba, baritone Piero Cappuccilli.

La Gioconda: Maria Callas

Laura Adorno: Fiorenza Cossotto

La Cieca: Irene Companeez

Alvise Badoero: Ivo Vinco

Enzo Grimaldo: Pier Miranda Ferraro

Barnaba: Piero Cappuccilli

Zuàne: Leonardo Monreale

Un cantore/Un pilota: Carlo Forti

Isèpo/Prima voce lontana: Aldo Biffi

Un barnabotto: Bonaldo Giaiotti