In La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli ...

"Marian Pop gave a truly mesmerizing acting performance in the role of Barnaba. From his first entrance onto the stage, in which he is seen bugging Gioconda’s phone, he exudes evil, and moreover, he relishes in the fact. He is never far from the heart of the action in one guise or another, whether it be a lawyer, an army captain or a seaman, yet he is always a spy, always intent on destruction. Pop played the part for all it was worth, his every gesture, his every facial expression perfectly placed. He laughed at people’s despair, enjoyed their pain and hated everyone, including Alvise. In Act two, a group of citizens are caught attempting to escape the country on Enzo’s ship. The curtain falls to Barnaba orchestrating their execution. Pop has an accomplished singing technique, which he employed to good effect. His phrasing was always finely measured, with exactly the right amount of venom or irony in the voice."