Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Preludio - Oh nobile esempio!
2. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Qui nel luogo santo e pio
3. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: T'assale un tremito! Padre, che fia?
4. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Or s'ascolti il voler cittadino!
5. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: A te nell'ora infausta
6. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Sciagurata! Hai tu creduto
7. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Tutta tremante ancor l'anima io sento...
8. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Ave Maria
9. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Vieni! Già pose Arvino
10. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Orror! Mostro d'averno orribile
11. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Parricida!
12. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: È dunque vero?
13. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Oh madre mia, che fa colei?
14. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: La mia letizia infondere
15. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Come poteva un angelo
16. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: É ancor silenzio!
17. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Sei tu l'uom della caverna?
18. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: La bella straniera
19. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Oh madre, dal cielo soccorri al mio pianto
20. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: No! no! giusta causa non è d'lddio

Disc 2:

1. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Gerusalem!
2. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Dove sola m'inoltro?
3. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Oh belle, a questa misera, tende lombarde
4. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Che vid'io mai?
5. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Preludio
6. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Qui posa il fianco
7. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Qual voluttà trascorrere sento
8. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Componi, o cara vergine
9. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: In cielo benedetto
10. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Qual prodigio!...
11. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: O Signore, dal tetto natìo ci chiamasti
12. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Al Siloe! al Siloe!
13. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Questa è mia tenda...
14. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Un breve istante
15. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera: Te lodiamo, gran Dio di vittoria

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113869 in Music
• Released on: 1997-09-16
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .48 pounds

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

James Levine offers a new reading of I Lombardi
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"
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 bel canto Lombardi
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.)