I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (The Lombards on the First Crusade)

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Giuseppe Verdi's I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (The Lombards on the First Crusade) is a tale about fraternal feud, envy, patricide, love, exile, conversion, empire, and the Crusades. Pagano desires Viclinda, who instead marries his brother Arvino; Pagano is sent away into exile to atone for his sins when he first fought his brother over Viclinda, followed by yet another banishment when the still-seething Pagano accidentally murders his father instead of Arvino. Reconciliation occurs between the two when Pagano, who is a hermit aiding Arvino and the crusaders, confesses his true identity to Arvino in his last breath, seeks forgiveness from his brother, and asks if he can see Jerusalem before dying. He passes away, fully repented. This four-act Italian language epic is a celebrated dramatization of the Viking history that has lasted through the decades, enduring due to its powerful characterizations, evocative orchestration and theatrical flair.