Video on demand: I Lituani

In the Middle Ages, the Teutonic knights have overran Lithuania. A noble, Walter leaves his wife Aldona to wreak vengeance on the Teutons for the invasion of his homeland. In disguise as Corrado he becomes chief of the Teutonic knights and uses his authority to spare Lithuanian prisoners. Aldona arrives, seeking news of her husband and 'Corrado's' cover is blown. Will Walter’s quest for vengeance ultimately destroy his chance at love and redemption?

Ponchielli wrote his opera I lituani (The Lithuanians) in the early 1870s based on Adam Mickevičius' narrative poem Konrad Wallenrod. As a story of national liberation, this literary source was full of resonance for those seeking freedom from oppression anywhere in the 19th century - especially to an Italian composer just a decade after the official reunification of his own country. After the premiere at La Scala in 1874, it falls in the 21st century to the Lithuanian National Opera to stage this opera; indeed no other nation can claim an opera title to itself! Ponchielli's score is filled with grandiose scenes, characteristic choruses and dances, and vocal lines of which foreshadow La gioconda. Argentine director Hugo De Ana directs this recent production from Vilnius to his own set and costume designs with Ričardas Šumila conducting Ponchielli’s lavish score.

Recorded on 31.01.2026