Amilcare Ponchielli’s sole operatic work “La Gioconda” made him a major figure in Italy. It was not just the title that made it such a success – “La Gioconda” is the Italian term for the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting that is better known to the English-speaking world as “Mona Lisa” – but rather its music and the poetic quality of Arrigo Boito’s libretto. The production featured here was taken from a 1986 performance of the Vienna State Opera. Filippo Sanjust was responsible for production and set, Gerlinde Dill was in charge of choreography, whilst Adam Fischer conducted both choir and orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. Internationally renowned stars Eva Marton and Plácido Domingo, who play the leading roles in the performance, ensure an unforgettable operatic experience.