from Act I of the Italian opera
La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli
Libretto: Arrigo Boito
Role: Barnaba, a spy for the Inquisition
Voice Part: baritone Fach: dramatic baritone
Setting: Courtyard of the Duke's Palace, Venice, 17th century
Synopsis: Barnaba has arranged to meet with Enzo later in the day in order to bring Laura (the Duke's wife) to Enzo for a lover's meeting. Unbeknownst to Enzo, Barnaba plans to betray Enzo and writes an anonymous letter to the Inquisition disclosing the time and location of the meeting, explaining each of his actions as he writes them.