La Gioconda
is a a French play in five acts written Victor Hugo (1802-1885)[1].
Contents
The original text
Translations and adaptations
Translated into English as Angelo, Tyrant of Padua
Il Giuramento, an opera Mercadante used a libretto by Gaetano Rossi, based on Hugo's novel. The opera was first performed in 1837. .
La Gioconda, the well-known opera in four acts by Amilcare Ponchielli, with an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito (as Tobia Gorrio) was also based on Hugo's play. , First performed in 1876, the opera was a major success for Ponchielli. , as well as the most successful new Italian opera between Verdi's Aida (1871) and Otello (1887). Ponchielli revised the work several times and the final version that is played today was first performed in 1880.
Performance history in South Africa
1893-4: Performed by the Lyric Opera Company on tour in South Africa, including performances in the Opera House, Cape Town.
Sources
D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203-205
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