Ponchielli
Cleva; Milanov, Baum, Warren, Rankin, Tozzi
Original Air Date: 04/02/1955
SID.19480529
This is a pretty representative Gioconda cast for the 1950s. It should catch Tozzi in his prime condition coming a month after his debut and Rankin was well suited to Laura, an awkward part for many. Warren should also be at his best. That leaves Milanov and Baum in two giant roles. There is no question of Milanov’s legendary status and in this role in particular. She can also be a maddeningly uneven singer, sometimes within the same performance or even section of music. I love Gioconda, but it is a challenging sing. Callas has a fine studio recording made after her firing from the Met that is still very good, but I don’t have any Callas annals handy, but don’t think she has many/any after 1952. Tebaldi saved it till late in her career, and the part didn’t work for Farrell. I enjoyed both Bumbry and Marton, but the part was well beyond Scotto, and recent efforts by Voigt and Urmana are down another rung. Milanov’s melodramatics are solid.