Ponchielli, Amilcare: La Gioconda

La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli
Cast: Maria Callas, Fiorenza Cossotto, Irene Companeez, Ivo Vinco, Pier Miranda Ferraro &  Piero Cappuccilli with the Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala Milan, conducted by Antonino Votto.
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Label: Seraphim
Catalogue number: SIC 6031
Country of Issue: USA
Date: 1970
Reissue: recorded 1959
Stereo
Format: LP Boxed Set (3 discs plus booklet)
Label design: Standard Seraphim Gold wth black print
Discs: EX+,  visually almost as new but slight marks revealing they have been played 
Outer box: EX,  all good apart from slight parting of the side flap from the bottom
Inner sleeves: original unlined  printed sleeves included but new antistatic sleeves provided  
Booklet: full size 16pp, perfect with full libretto

Acquired by us in 2013 as part of a large collection but never played since. Visually fine,  with some very slight marks showing use

This recording was made in Italy for EMI in 1959 and was issued on UK Columbia and US Angel in 1960.  As usual,  the performance by Callas was highly praised with Records and Recording mentioning her  'unique artistry and musicianship' 'giving vibrant life to an operatic character... a flawless example of her artistry'.   This is the American 1970 reissue on the Seraphim label.