“The Accentus release marks a milestone” – OperaWire
“This album is a must for music lovers, not only in terms of the concert performance, but also the soloist line-up, the orchestra and the conducting. High praise to Accentus for this excellent addition to the opera discography.” – Music Emotion
In 2020, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and the Kaunas State Choir, under the direction of Modestas Pitrėnas, came together at the National Philharmonic Hall in Vilnius for a remarkable recording of Amilcare Ponchielli’s opera I Lituani. This project marks the first professional recording of this work, highlighting Ponchielli’s significant contribution to 19th-century Italian opera and connecting deeply with Lithuanian heritage.
Drawing inspiration from Adam Mickiewicz’s poem Konrad Wallenrod, the opera tells the story of medieval Lithuania’s resistance against the Teutonic Knights, exploring themes of freedom, national identity, and sacrifice. Ponchielli’s rich orchestration and Ghislanzoni’s powerful libretto create a dramatic musical experience that has now been captured with vibrant vocal performances and exquisite orchestration in this new recording.
I Lituani, which premiered at La Scala in 1874, has long been recognized for its beautiful melodies and emotional depth. This recording revives a significant yet often overlooked masterpiece of Italian opera, offering a fresh perspective on Ponchielli’s profound musical and dramatic vision.
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Kaunas State Choir
Modestas Pitrėnas, conductor
Jūratė Švedaitė-Waller, soprano (Aldona)
Kristian Benedikt, tenor (Corrado, Walter)
Modestas Sedlevičius, baritone (Arnoldo)
Tadas Girininkas, bass (Albano)
Arūnas Malikėnas, baritone (Vitoldo)
Agnė Stančikaitė, soprano (Minstrel)
