01 · Scene and lyrics
Amilcare Ponchielli’s opera La Gioconda takes place in Venice during the XVII century. The plot line was inspired by the Victor Hugo’s drama "Angelo, tyran de Padoue" and the opera based on a skilful libretto written by Tobia Gorrio (alias Arrigo Boito). World premiered at La Scala on 8 April 1876, the opera received a clamorous success. However, on paying heed to some critical comments, Ponchielli reduced, lightened and simplified the music and the complexity of events for the stage. La Gioconda was re-presented in its final form, four years after the premiere.

La Gioconda is a typical example of popular grand-opera embroidered with passionate, dramatic actions and tuneful melodies. It is perhaps the only opera by Ponchielli which fascinates audiences even in the XXI century. It lends itself to grandiose productions in open-air theatres like Verona, because of its spectacular scenes. It includes the famous, brilliant and bouncy notes of "Dance of the Hours" and the tenor lyrical, sublime aria "Cielo e mar", which put legendary tenors Beniamino Gigli and Richard Tucker on their paths to glory.

The deck of a brigantine, a 2-masted sailing ship, is the scene depicted in act II of La Gioconda. Enzo Grimaldo, the ship captain and a prince of Genoa, is exhilarated by the sight of the sky and sea. The sky is an ethereal veil shimmering like a holy altar, the wind of love blows ardently, the sky kisses the horizon, the waves kiss the horizon and he waits for his angel. Will Laura come from the sky or the sea? He lies in the shade with a beating heart and exhorts her to come forth, to him, to the kiss of life and love.

02 · The Italian lyrics

ENZO

Cielo! e mar! l'etereo velo
splende come un santo altar.
L'angiol mio verrà dal cielo
L'angiol mio verrà dal mare
Qui l'attendo;
ardente spira
oggi il vento dell'amor.
Ah! quell'uom che vi sospira
vi conquide,
o sogni d'or!...
Per l'aura fonda
non appar né suol né monte.
L'orizzonte bacia l'onda!
l'onda bacia l'orizzonte!
Qui nell'ombra, ov'io mi giaccio
coll'anelito del cor,
vieni, o donna,
vieni al bacio della vita,
si della vita e dell'amor
si dell’amor
Ah! vien!...

Note: The Italian lyrics marked in bold are those referred to in the critical analysis.

03 · Choice
For the Audio Files of the Month, my choice is Salvatore Fisichella singing Enzo’s aria "Cielo e mar" from act II of La Gioconda at a live recording in Basle, Switzerland, in 1989.

04 · Historical Notes
Salvatore Fisichella: A well encapsulated introduction to the Italian tenor Salvatore Fisichella may be found in our list of "Featured Tenors". It is an interesting foreword to his biography, which is under preparation. Jay, our editor, has this to say: "Since his debut in Spoleto in 1970 in Werther, Salvatore Fisichella has appeared at all major opera houses, including La Scala, the Met, Covent Garden and the Staatsoper, yet it seems other tenors got the recording jobs in the 1970s and the 1980s. Fisichella has always been noted for his easy, exciting top and has hence been a coveted tenor for performances of Guglielmo Tell and I Puritani; rave reviews followed his 1986 I Puritani at the Met opposite Dame Sutherland. With his selfless attitude and valuable contributions here at Grandi Tenori.com, Fisichella has become a sort of a ‘house tenor’ at the site."

05 · Critical Analysis
"Cielo e mar" is one of the most inspired and melodious arias by Ponchielli. It has survived the passage of time as a modern, intimate and exalted declamato towards life and love. The ship captain Enzo admires the sky and sea, dreaming of Laura, his angel, to arrive, ardently calls for her and yearns for her kiss of life and love. The lyrical declamato calls for expression, serenity and ardour, enhanced by the final squillo "Ah, vien!"

06 · Listen to the audio files

01 · Salvatore Fisichella: Cielo e mar
A Radio Australia broadcast (reduced) featuring Salvatore Fisichella singing "Cielo e mar" in 1989 at 36 years of age.
Compressed to 64 kbps / 44.1 mp3
Size: 3.75 mb

We, at Grandi Tenori.com, are deeply indebted to Dr Colin Fox of Radio Australia for nationally presenting and commenting on tenor Salvatore Fisichella in "Cielo e mar" for the first time in Australia, on 7 February 2004, which has made history.

NB: Audio has been removed in accordance with GT.com's policy on audio files.

Copyright disclaimer

Listening to the broadcast, Fisichella’s Italian pronunciation is articulate and excellent in the declamato. It is sung in an exhilaratingly exalted style, which is conspicuous throughout. "Cielo e mar" is a reflective intonation, "dal mare", "dal cielo" and "o sogni d’or" is a lyrical sfumatura beautifully elongated. "Vieni al bacio" is amply arched and impressively sustained, denoting an extraordinary reserve and control of breath. There is extension, power and sureness of voice in the acuto "al bacio" and "si dell’amor". "Ah! Vien!" is sumptuously coloured within the middle register and the repeated "Ah! Vien!" is a brilliant top note, a really cutting sciabolata.

Notes: Intonation is the attack of a phrase with harmony of sound and colour, declamato is a vocal piece sculptured on words of reflection, similar to a recitativo sung with lyrical abandon and used especially in modern melodrama, sfumatura is a vocal execution in passing gradually from a note to another with expression, sciabolata is a brilliant top note cutting through like a sabre.

Extras: Grandi Tenori.com biographies:
- Salvatore Fisichella