Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” is one of the staples of the dramatic soprano repertoire and is considered one of the most difficult roles in the repertoire. It is also a difficult opera to present on stage and for that reason throughout the past years it has increasingly become a rarity in the standard repertoire.

Now, 14 years after its last presentation, the Teatre del Liceu is presenting the masterpiece with one of today’s greatest dramatic sopranos. Iréne Theorin is set to make her role debut in the title role delving into the Italian repertoire on a rare occasion and adding her name to a list of legendary sopranos who have conquered the role.

While Theorin is a well-known “Turandot” and has also performed “Cavalleria Rusticana,” the Swedish soprano is best known for her Wagner and Strauss roles. She has also become one of the leading Brünnhilde’s of her generation, performing the role at every major opera company in the world.  Critics have described Theorin as dynamic and intense and have also praised her for her acting commitment to each role.

Barcelona audiences should be in for a treat; in fact, all audiences around the world will get a chance to enjoy Theorin in this role as one of the performances will be live in HD in theaters worldwide.

And for those who aren’t able to catch the performances, the soprano goes to Italy for the Ring Cycle and then to Tokyo for “Turandot.” She reprises her acclaimed turn in Barcelona as she headlines the 2019-20 season.

Recordings

Because Theorin is one of the greatest Brünnhilde’s of the 21st century it is hard not to recommend her interpretation of the Ring Cycle from Copenhagen, which has become legendary.

There is also a recording of her Isolde in “Tristan und Isolde” from Bayreuth and a legendary “Elektra” recording with Waltraud Meier and Rene Pape.

Here is Theorin performing an excerpt from “Turandot…”

…and here she is as Isolde from Bayreuth.