Based on Verdi's 'I Lombardi alla prima crociata', this piece is a quintessential Victorian bravura showpiece. It utilizes large gestures and athletic piano writing to represent orchestral themes.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; octave passages that demand a relaxed wrist to avoid tension; and sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions.
Beyond that, expect sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Developing the stamina for rapid scale and octave work is the key challenge here.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Fantaisie Brillante on I Lombardy is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of Fantaisie Brillante on I Lombardy lasts about 7 minutes.
Fantaisie Brillante on I Lombardy is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Fantaisie Brillante on 'Rigoletto' by Sydney Smith, Fantaisie brillante on Gounod's Faust by Sydney Smith, Bohemian Girl - Brilliant Fantasia by Sydney Smith — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.