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Ponchielli's La Gioconda tells the tragic story of a young Venetian street singer -- the Gioconda of the title -- whose beauty attracts the attention of the despicable and vengeful Barnaba, a spy for the all-powerful Council of Ten. Barnaba's desire is not returned by the young girl, who instead loves Enzo, a seaman. Enzo, in turn, is the former lover of Laura, now married to Alvise, the head of the Council. Barnaba, suspecting that Enzo and Laura still love each other, arranges an assignation for them, hoping to thereby win Gioconda for himself; he also plans to tell Alvise that his wife is planning to elope with her former lover. Overhearing the plot, Gioconda confronts Laura and is ready to do her harm; when she realizes that Laura had earlier rescued her dear blind mother from an angry crowd, she warns her of Barnaba's duplicity. When Laura returns to her home, Alvise gives her poison, but Gioconda manages to switch it with a potion that will merely make her fall into a deathlike sleep. Alvise arrests Enzo, who is distraught over Laura's seeming death. Gionconda says she will give herself to Barnaba if he will use his influence to save Enzo. He agrees, and Giocaonda then arranges for Laura's body to be removed to her own home. Enzo confronts Gioconda there, ready to kill her for removing the body, but Laura awakens just in time and the lovers profusely thank Gioconda before fleeing. Barnaba arrives to claim his prize, but the street singer kills herself rather than submit to him.