Sydney Smith was a prolific arranger whose concert fantasies were widely popular in Victorian parlors. This piece transforms Donizetti’s melodies into a showcase of idiomatic, though challenging, piano figuration.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; and fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo.
Beyond that, expect ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in.
At roughly 9 minutes, stamina and memory become part of the challenge — plan practice in sections.
Focus on the execution of delicate, high-register runs while maintaining melodic projection.
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 de concert sur 'Lucrezia Borgia' (Op.69) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.
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 de concert sur 'Lucrezia Borgia' (Op.69) lasts about 9 minutes.
Fantaisie de concert sur 'Lucrezia Borgia' (Op.69) 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, Fantaisie brillante on Verdi's Il Trovatore by Sydney Smith — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.