I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata [Blu-ray]

The Audience Liked It -- So Did I!!
In his excellent book, "Verdi With A Vengeance", William Berger noted this about I Lombardi: "Judging by the score alone, much of the work appears primitive to the point of absurdity, but in an emotionaly committed performance, I Lombardi can come alive". And that, gentle reader, is exactly what happened in January of 2009, when this performance took place. Not all at once, mind, but once Maestro Callegari started the Music, it was clear that one thing this performance would be was energetic.

The first scene was a bit uneven, due in large part to the use of a computer or camera to project the scenery on the back wall of the stage. When singers came between the projector and the backdrop in closeup, one could see the projection on the singer's face and costume. And then there was Michele Pertusi's makeup and beard; I flashed back to Charles Middleton as Ming the Merciless. It was pure amateurism, but only mildly distractiong. And only in the first scene with respect to the...

Early Verdi gem in an inspired performance
Since Mr Gleeson wrote such an elaborate appreciation of this DVD, and I thoroughly agree with it, so I try to be brief.
This video has been prepared along with 25 more, the complete operatic ouvre of Verdi, to celebrate his 200th year of birth, this year Oct 11th. All these DVD's are by Italians, on Italian stages with mostly Italian singers, conductors, stage directors. According to critics: "this is how Verdi should be played" and so far of what I've heard and seen I fully agree. The provincial opera house of the city of Parma was chosen simply because Verdi was born in Le Rancole, a little village in the province of Parma in Lombardy. Verdi was a peasant boy, from the lowest of origins, but an immense talent and became the main dominant figure of Italian opera in the latter half of the 19th century. In fact not only Italian opera, but I daresay all opera, except Richard Wagner, but that's another story.
Now.... I Lombardi. We mustn't forget that it was a young Verdi's...

Great performance of rarely performed opera
A very strong performance of one of Verdi's least known operas. Although less known, there is some really fine music in it, even if the story may be less captivating than in Verdi's later operas. The staging by Lamberto Puggelli, as well as the set and the costumes are fine. The singers will disappoint few. Superlative singing from the main characters, Pagano (Michele Pertusi), Giselda (Dimitra Theodossiou), and Oronte (Francesco Meli). It is unlikely that this opera will ever get a finer performance. Highly recommended!

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