Atto I La vendetta: Qui nel luogo santo e pio (Pagano)
Atto I La vendetta: T'assale un tremito! Padre, che fia? (Giselda)
Atto I La vendetta: Or s'ascolti il voler cittadino!
Atto I La vendetta: A te nell'ora infausta
Atto I La vendetta: Sciagurata! Hai tu crduto (Pagano)
Atto I La vendetta: Tutta tremante anco l'anima io sento
Atto I La vendetta: Ave Maria (Giselda)
Atto I La vendetta: Vieni! Gia pose Arvino
Atto I La vendetta: Orror! Mostro d'averno orribile
Atto I La vendetta: Parricidal (Arvino)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: E dunque vero?
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: Oh madre mia, che fa colei? (Oronte)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: La mia letizia infondere (Oronte)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: Come poteva un angelo (Oronte)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: E ancor silenzio! (Eremita)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: Sei tu l'uom della caverna? (Arvino)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: La bella straniera (Coro di donne)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: Oh madre, dal cielo soccorri al mo pianto (Giselda)
Atto II L'uomo della caverna: No! no! Giusta Causa non e d'lddio (Giselda)
Track Listings (15) - Disc #2
Atto III La conversione: Gerusalem!... Gerusalem! (Pellegrini)
Atto III La conversione: Dove sola m'inoltro? (Giselda)
Atto III La conversione: Oh belle, a questa misera, tende lombarde (Giselda)
Atto III La conversione: Che vid'io mai? (Arvino)
Atto III La conversione: Preludio
Atto III La conversione: Qui posa il fianco (Giselda)
Atto III La conversione: Qual volutta trascorrere sento (Oronte)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: Componi, o cara vergine (Coro di spiriti celesti)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: In cielo benedetto (Oronte)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: Qual prodigio!... (Giselda)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: O Signore, dal tetto natio ci chiamasti (crociati e pellegrini)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: Al Siloe! al Siloe! (Giselda, Arvino, Eremita)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: Questa e mia tenda...(Arvino)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: Un breve istante (Pagano)
Atto IV II Santo Sepolcro: Te Iodiamo, gran Dio di vittoria (Coro)
I Lombardi, composed on the heels of the big hit Nabucco, has some earmarks of a sequel. Both operas tell a tale of sibling rivalry in the ruling class (sisters in Nabucco, brothers in Lombardi). Both are epic stories o... more »f religious-ethnic conflict in the Middle East (in this case, the First Crusade) in which Jerusalem is captured and the chorus plays a prominent role. There is even a chorus, "O Signore," that sounds like an imitation of "Va, pensiero." Like many sequels, it is not quite up to its predecessor, though it has some magnificent moments. James Levine has assembled a first-class cast, he conducts with the energy that this opera demands, and his chorus and orchestra are equal to all its challenges. --Joe McLellan« less
I Lombardi, composed on the heels of the big hit Nabucco, has some earmarks of a sequel. Both operas tell a tale of sibling rivalry in the ruling class (sisters in Nabucco, brothers in Lombardi). Both are epic stories of religious-ethnic conflict in the Middle East (in this case, the First Crusade) in which Jerusalem is captured and the chorus plays a prominent role. There is even a chorus, "O Signore," that sounds like an imitation of "Va, pensiero." Like many sequels, it is not quite up to its predecessor, though it has some magnificent moments. James Levine has assembled a first-class cast, he conducts with the energy that this opera demands, and his chorus and orchestra are equal to all its challenges. --Joe McLellan
"I had a wonderful time listening to DECCA's 1996 recording of I lombardi. Notwithstanding Levine's pedestrian conducting, this is that rarest of occurrences: a bel canto performance of a Verdi score, especially early Verdi.
Pavarotti, well past 60, and Sam Ramey, 57, sing like angels as Oronte and Pagano. Each modulates his voice perfectly and turns phrases with a sustained grace and true feeling for Verdian expansion, without shouting.
I purchased the set for June Anderson's Giselda. She sings here like a Marchesi pupil-getting no help from Levine-and achieves one of her best things on records. Her Act II prayer (Se vano è il pregare) is just about the best Verdi singing from a female of the post-1980 generation. (Not saying much, I know.) Richard Leech, with his crystal-clear voice, is also excellent as Arvino.
How refreshing to hear Verdi's music performed as though it were music, not just barged through in that horrible Toscanini way. Levine tries to barge, allright, but Pavarotti's lordly legato and perfect portamento-phrasing just won't let him. (Too bad Richard Bonynge wasn't the conductor.)
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James Levine offers a new reading of I Lombardi
Dr. Armando R. Trigueiros | 9760 Praia da Vitória, Azores Portugal | 11/02/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I must admit and confess that this is a good recording of this not to much recorded opera, I Lombardi by Verdi. The recorded sound is of the best quality, the best modern digital sound for this opera. James Levine offers us a reading with drive, straightness and drama, which is his personal new achievement for this opera. But, altough I enjoyd the performance, such fast speed given to the performance does not permit a certain lyricism and elegance in Verdi's melodies,(as in the old and very good Lamberto Gardelli version in the Philips label), in such a way that we fell a certain superficiality in the whole work. The soloists are first rate: the aged Pavarotti is good, but not to expressive; June Anderson has beautifull color of voice, but could give much more of herself if the tempos were a little bit slower. However Samuel Ramey is the singer that seems not to be afected by the tempos Levine adopts, and sings with drama and deepness. Anyway, this is surely the best modern digital version of I Lombardi by Giuseppe Verdi."
The best "I Lombardi alla prima crociata"
Dr. Armando R. Trigueiros | 07/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pavarotti was 61 when he did this recording, but he is lways very good, and the best tenor Verdi could have for this role. Anderson has some problems in some places of the opera, but she has a very beautiful voice and she is even very dramatic. Ramey sings very well and his voice is marvellous. Leech sings the role with an inusual strenght and with many passages to remeber.Levine conducts as only he can do, and I mean with energy and passion. The Gavazzeni set is very good too, but for a studio recording of the opera with an incredible beautiful sound go for it."
A terrific cast led by Levine in a memorable recording.
matteo leoncini | New York NY | 01/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This opera would not rank in the highest echelon of Verdi operas, but this cast, orchestra and conductor make the most of what they have been given. Ramey is magnificent, as usual. Pavarotti sounds slightly frayed around the edges, but more than justifies his somewhat misleading star-photo billing on the recording's cover. James Levine conducts with vigour, and the Met Orchestra responds in kind. At times, Levine does drive almost too hard -- this is particulary during a few of Ms. Anderson's moments, when you sense that her bel canto technique is not allowed to shine as much as it might. Nonetheless, I found her singing to be quite beautiful. A very different "Non fu sogno" than one provided by a Caballe, perhaps, but equally arresting. (More Anderson recordings, please!)"