Verdi's I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata

If Nabucco, in 1842, was the opera that first made Giuseppe Verdi's reputation, his 1843 follow-up I Lombardi alla prima crociata (The Lombards on the First Crusade) served to confirm his place among the great operatic composers of his day. The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège offers us the chance to rediscover this early masterpiece of Italian bel canto in a superb interpretation conducted by Daniel Oren.

The plot of this historical drama recounts the impossible love affair between Oronte and Giselda, who belong to two rival factions manipulated by the Machiavellian Pagano amid the bloody wars of religion in the late 11th century. Director Sarah Schinasi keeps the focus of this staging on human emotion, universal across the ages—and the spotlights illuminate an all-star cast including Ramón Vargas (Oronte), Salome Jicia (Giselda), and Goderdzi Janelidze (Pagano).

With the collaboration of the Conservatoire Royal de Liège and IMEP, as well as the Mosa Ballet School.
Photo © Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège / Jonathan Berger