Verdi: I Lombardi (Arena di Verona, 2019, Directed by: Zeffirelli)

One of the most popular masterpieces in the opera repertoire was on the program of the Verona Festival in 2019: Verdi's "Il Trovatore". The production was to be the last staging by the Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, who died shortly before the premiere. It now appears, brilliantly captured technically, on DVD and Blu-ray. Zeffirelli brings the story of love, hate, jealousy, and death to the giant stage of the Arena di Verona with atmospheric, magnificent images and crowds. With beautiful costumes and props, he succeeds in a classic yet contemporary interpretation that will delight every opera lover visually and also acoustically. The singing leaves nothing to be desired: the couple Anna Netrebko (in top form) as Leonora and Yusif Eyvazov (with tenorial brilliance) as Manrico, as well as Dolora Zajick as the touching Azucena and Luca Salsi as the demonic Conte di Luna, show the highest level of singing and acting. The choir and orchestra of the Arena di Verona act congenially under the spirited direction of Pier Giorgio Morandi.