Vienna State Opera Recorded live at the Vienna State Opera, Placido Domingo and Eva Marton star in a sumptuous recording of Ponchielli´s famed four-act melodrama La Gioconda. With the premiere of this action-filled opera in 1876, Pnchielle became an overnight success. Set against a semi-historical background of tyranny and intrigue in ever-romantic Venice, the story revolves around strong characters whose fundamentally sound instincts become distorted by passion. Drawing on all the resources known to the 19th century stage, including a large ballet, this lavish opera varies in mood from a happy carnival spirit to scenes of the darkest gloom and horror.