I masnadieri (The Bandits or The Robbers) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Andrea Maffei, based on the play Die Räuber by Friedrich von Schiller. As Verdi became more successful in Italy, he began to receive offers from other opera houses outside the country. The London impresario Benjamin Lumley had presented Ernani in 1845 and, as a result of its success, commissioned an opera from the composer which became I masnadieri. It was given its first performance at Her Majesty's Theatre on July 22, 1847 with Verdi conducting the first two performances.
While reasonably successful there and in Italy up to the mid-1860s, the opera disappeared for about ninety years until revived in 1951. It has been staged and filmed several times in the 21st century.
Cast:
Massimiliano - Samuel Ramey
Carlo - Franco Bonisolli
Amalia - Joan Sutherland
Francesco - Matteo Manuguerra
Moser - Simone Alaimo
Armino - Arthur Davies
Rolla - John Harris

Conductor - Richard Bonynge
Orchestra - Welsh National Opera
Chorus - Welsh National Opera

DECCA 1982