CD:
Amilcare Ponchielli - I LITUANI

This February, Accentus Music is releasing a CD box set featuring a rare masterpiece of Italian opera, Amilcare Ponchielli's I Lituani.

I Lituani., an important but often overlooked masterpiece of Italian opera, was commissioned by Ricordi and premiered at La Scala in 1874. It was extremely well received and continued to be performed throughout the world in the last decades of the 19th century. In the first half of the 20th century, however, the opera was almost forgotten. It was only towards the end of the 20th century that I Lituani. slowly regained its audience.

Accentus Music's CD boxed set of I Lituani. is the first complete recording of the opera and offers a fresh perspective on Ponchielli's profound musical and dramatic vision.

Inspired by Adam Mickiewicz's poem Konrad Wallenrod, the opera tells the story of medieval Lithuania's resistance to the Teutonic Knights, exploring themes of freedom, national identity and sacrifice. Ponchielli's rich orchestration creates a dramatic musical experience, now captured in this new recording with vibrant vocal performances and exquisite orchestration.

Composer Amilcare Ponchielli
Original title of music work I Lituani
Orchestra / Band Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Choir Kaunas State Choir
Conductor Modestas Pitrėnas
Producer Accentus Music GmbH