Mr. Ernest Gye now determined to try “La Gioconda" at Covent Garden; and he produced it there in May, 1883, before a crowded and demonstrative house. A fine cast was engaged— Gayarre as Enzo, Cotogni as Barnaba, Edouard de Eeszke as Alvise, Scalchi as La Cieca and an American soprano, Marie Durand, who had already won fame in Italy, as the heroine. La Gioconda. The opera was warmly received, and for a few representations drew good houses.