This screening brings Amilcare Ponchielli's opera La Gioconda to the big screen, filmed from the Arena di Verona. The story follows Gioconda, a singer who loves Enzo, while Enzo loves Laura, a noblewoman trapped in an unhappy marriage to the powerful inquisitor Barnaba. Barnaba is obsessed with Gioconda and uses power and intrigue to try to win her, and the drama builds to a final act of sacrifice.
Giovanna Casolla sings Gioconda, Daniela Dessì takes the role of Laura, and Giuseppe Giacomini plays Enzo. The production is staged in Franco Zeffirelli's lavish grand opera style, known for its striking visual splendour. Even audiences who have never seen the opera will likely recognise the 'Dance of the Hours', one of its most famous orchestral pieces. Dessì also appears in the series' screening of Fedora later in January.
