Ivan Repušić made his debut as principal conductor of the Munich Radio Orchestra in September 2017 with Giuseppe Verdi's "Luisa Miller". It was followed by "I due Foscari" in October 2018 and "Attila" in October 2019 (the complete recordings have already been released by BR-KLASSIK on CD 900323, 900328 and 900330). His successful cycle of early masterpieces by the Italian opera composer continues with the recent concert performance on April 23, 2023 of Verdi's stage work "I Lombardi" – also at the Prinzregententheater in Munich. Authentic fluidity and vocal splendour are provided here once again by outstanding performers and the Bavarian Radio Chorus. The Munich Radio Orchestra plays under the direction of Ivan Repuŝić. - This highlight of Munich's musical life from the early part of this year has now been released by BR-KLASSIK as a double CD.
Verdi's early masterpiece had its world premiere on February 11, 1843 at Milan's Teatro alla Scala. This marked another great success for the young composer, and the work was again placed on the La Scala programme for the opening of the 1844/45 season. "I Lombardi alla prima crociata" (The Lombards on the First Crusade) quickly became popular in Europe, and in 1847 the opera was performed in New York for the first time. For performances at the Paris Opera, Verdi reworked “I Lombardi” into a French "Grand Opéra", with ballet music and several newly composed sections. This revised version was premiered under the title "Jérusalem" on November 26, 1847. Today, the opera is rarely heard or performed.
This concert performance (in the original Italian) at Munich's Prinzregententheater brought unanimous cheers from the audience. Ivan Repušić's commitment to Verdi’s early operas deserves to be held in high regard, and this performance of "I Lombardi" is also a truly theatrical Verdi work: vital, powerful, fiery, and very exciting.
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