With ornate, period-appropriate sets by Krisztina Lisztopád and a renewed concept by András Almási-Tóth, Amilcare Ponchielli's opera La Gioconda is performed at the Ybl Palace on Andrássy Avenue between 8 and 20 June 2025. The main roles are sung by Zsuzsanna Ádám and Francesca Tiburzi, Atala Schöck, Csaba Szegedi, Andrea Szántó, István Kovácsházi and Stefano La Colla, as well as Krisztián Cser. The ensembles of the Hungarian State Opera are conducted by János Kovács.
Carnival atmosphere, deadly intrigues, unrequited loves: La Gioconda returns to the OPERA repertoire after five years, set among baroque-style scenery. The opera was last seen on the stage of the Opera House nearly 30 years ago, in 1997. Although the name of the title character means “joyful,” in the renewed concept of artistic director András Almási-Tóth – based on his 2019 production at the Erkel Theatre – it is above all a story of unhappy people. Gioconda, the singer, is hopelessly in love with Enzo Grimaldo, a Genoese prince who has been exiled from Venice. His beloved, Laura, has been married off to the state inquisitor Alvise, which brings suffering and bitterness to both of them. Alvise’s informant, Barnaba, is also hopelessly in love with Gioconda, but her rejection only motivates him to cause her pain through her blind mother, whom he accuses of witchcraft. After numerous complications, it is Gioconda’s selfless actions that ultimately allow Enzo and Laura’s love to be fulfilled.
Visually, the production brings a new feature to the stage of the Opera House: richly baroque sets by Krisztina Lisztopád, which harmonize well with the historically accurate costumes designed by Bori Tóth for the 2019 production. The water pool evoking the Venetian lagoons also remains on stage, where three pairs of artists from the Hungarian National Ballet perform The Dance of the Hours, the famous ballet segment from La Gioconda, choreographed by Dóra Barta.
It is rare in opera for all six voice types – soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, and bass – to have prominent roles, but Ponchielli’s passionate and highly successful romantic work, which also serves as a bridge between Verdi and Puccini, is just such an exception. With the exception of chamber singer Krisztián Cser as Alvise, the revival offers several debut opportunities. Zsuzsanna Ádám will perform the title role for the first time, following two seasons at the National Theatre Mannheim and her portrayal of Elisabeth of Valois in the Budapest Don Carlo series. Italian soprano Francesca Tiburzi also takes on the role of Gioconda in the alternate cast, having performed numerous lead roles in Bellini, Verdi, and Puccini operas and previously sung this role as a cover for Anna Netrebko, Saioa Hernández, and Irina Churilova at the Salzburg Festival and Milan’s La Scala. In the role of Enzo Grimaldo, the OPERA’s leading tenor and Kamersänger István Kovácsházi also makes his debut, while the alternate cast features Italian tenor Stefano La Colla, who performs leading roles across major European opera houses and has portrayed the Genoese prince in both Barcelona and, as a stand-in, at La Scala. The remaining principal roles are also entrusted to outstanding chamber singers making their debuts: Andrea Szántó as Laura, Csaba Szegedi as Barnaba, and Atala Schöck as the blind woman. The OPERA’s 74-member orchestra and 56-member chorus are conducted by János Kovács, Kossuth Prize-winning conductor, honorary member and master artist of the Hungarian State Opera, who will be conducting this opera for the first time as well.
Ponchielli's opera La Gioconda will be performed during the season at the Hungarian State Opera on 8, 11, 13, 15 (matinée), and 20 June 2025.
