Twenty whole years after its last presentation, La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli – the opera with which the legendary Maria Callas made her debut at the Arena di Verona in 1947 – returns to the stage of the Greek National Opera on October 19, 22, 25, 29 and November 1, 4, 7, 2025 in a grand international co-production featuring world-famous artists.

Two of the world’s most prestigious opera institutions – the Salzburg Easter Festival and the Royal Opera House, London – join forces with the Greek National Opera to present to Greek audiences an impressive production, directed by Covent Garden’s Artistic Director Oliver Mears, conducted by Fabrizio Ventura, with star dramatic soprano Anna Pirozzi in the title role.

La Gioconda is considered one of the greatest grand operas of the repertoire, not only because it tells a powerful story of unfulfilled love and self-sacrifice, but also because it is rich in unforgettable melodies, famous arias, and magnificent choral passages. It also includes one of the most iconic ballets of all time, the “Dance of the Hours”, a melody widely known thanks to its appearance in Disney’s Fantasia (1940).

The opera premiered in 1876 at La Scala, Milan, to huge success comparable to that of Verdi’s Aida and Otello.

As a typical late Romantic opera, influenced by French grand opéra, Ponchielli – deeply inspired by Verdi – created a work of stormy characters, dramatic confrontations, lush orchestration, melodic beauty, and theatrical grandeur. The libretto, written by Tobia Gorrio (an anagram and pseudonym of poet-composer Arrigo Boito), is based on Victor Hugo’s Angelo, Tyrant of Padua. Boito set the story in 17th-century Venice, with the central figure being La Gioconda, a street singer in love with Enzo Grimaldo, who, however, loves Laura, wife of nobleman Alvise. After many twists, La Gioconda helps the lovers escape and ultimately takes her own life.

Oliver Mears, Artistic Director of the Royal Opera House and one of Europe’s most sought-after opera directors, places the action in contemporary Venice while remaining faithful to the spirit of the work. According to The Telegraph, “This lavish staging may be the best possible for such a magnificent yet demanding opera.”

Sets are by Philipp Fürhofer, internationally acclaimed since 2008 for his work with leading opera houses across Europe. Costumes are by Annemarie Woods, whose work Greek audiences have previously seen in Don Giovanni. Choreography is by Lucy Burge, with an international career including Covent Garden and the Paris Opera. Lighting design is by award-winning Fabiana Piccioli.

The Greek National Opera Orchestra will be conducted by Italian maestro Fabrizio Ventura, in his third collaboration with GNO, following successful productions of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (2023) and Aleko / Bluebeard’s Castle (2024).

The production boasts a stellar international cast:

• Anna Pirozzi (Gioconda), the acclaimed Italian soprano, returns to GNO after standout performances in Medea and Maria Callas Gala.
• Arsen Soghomonyan (Oct 19, 22, 25, 29) and Francesco Pio Galasso (Nov 1, 4, 7) alternate as Enzo Grimaldo.
• Alisa Kolosova, distinguished Russian mezzo, sings Laura Adorno.
• Anita Rachvelishvili, one of the world’s most famous mezzo-sopranos, returns as Cieca.
• Dimitris Platanias, Greece’s leading baritone, takes on Barnaba.
• Tasos Apostolou, GNO’s prominent bass, performs Alvise Badoero.

Additional roles are performed by Yiannis Kalyvas and rising talent Maxim Klonofsky. The GNO Chorus is prepared by Agathangelos Georgakatos, while the GNO Children’s Chorus is led by Konstantina Pitsiakou. Dancers from the GNO Ballet also take part.

Performance schedule:

• October 19, 22, 25, 29 & November 1, 4, 7, 2025
• Start time: 19:00 (Sundays at 18:30)