PONCHIELLI: GIOCONDA, LA

Tebaldi, Cossotto, Bergonzi, MacNeil; Cleva

Label: WH
Catalog #: WH162
Mono
Broadcast
New York: March 2, 1968
Disc(s) in set: 2

Renata Tebaldi was put on Earth to sing the role of Gioconda. Talk about a complete performance; smouldering tone, breathtaking high pianissimo in the first act which she actually negotiates with aplomb, outbursts and sudden bombs into the chest voice. This has to be heard to be believed. Not to be outdone, Fiorenza Cossotto is right there whipping up her own smouldering excitement as Laura. When she and Tebaldi go at it during the second act duet, please be sitting down. Bergonzi is heavenly as Enzo and MacNeil once again offers a very sinister Barnaba. This is what it used to be like. And Fausto Cleva actually keeps all these formidable voices under control by way of an idiomatic reading of the score.