Nabucco

Nabucco – Giuseppe Verdi | Opera

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission
Language: Performed in Italian, with surtitles in Czech and English
Recommended Age: 15+

The opera Nabucco, depicting the dramatic story of the subjugation of the Israelites by the King of Babylon, ranks among Guiseppe Verdi’s most celebrated works. Phenomenal chorus scenes, extremely impassioned virtuoso arias, as well as the perennially topical themes of expansive war, lust for power, betrayal, life and death, are the reasons why it has always been a staple of opera houses’ repertoire.

The title hero is based on the historical figure of King Nebuchadnezzar II. The opera starts with a true event, the destruction of the Temple of Solomon in 587 BC. Yet the following conversion of Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) to Judaism and the setting the Hebrews free from captivity in Babylon are the librettist’s fictional creations, as are the complicated relationships within the royal family, and the strife between Nabucco’s two stepdaughters, striving to win the love of the same man and gain the throne. Loosely blending true historical facts, a biblical legend and imagination, the libretto made it possible for Verdi to bring to bear fully for the first time his immense musical virtues. The colossal triumph of Nabucco, his third opera, at the world premiere at La Scala in Milan in 1842 opened for the 28-year-old composer the path to fame. The opera’s best-known number, the chorus “Va, pensiero, sull‘ali dorate” (“Fly, thought, on wings of gold”), expresses the Hebrew exiles’ hope for freedom.

In Verdi’s time, however, it became a symbol of the Italian patriots’ resistance to Austrian supremacy, an unofficial anthem of the endeavour for a unified Italy free from foreign control; and the chorus has retained its political meaning up to the present day. Just as Verdi’s librettist drew inspiration from the Bible, particularly Psalm 137, biblical symbolism is foregrounded by the stage director Tomáš Ondřej Pilař in his conception of Nabucco’s new State Opera production.

Synopsis

Act one

The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem

Judaea has been invaded by the army of the King of Babylon, Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar). The people of Jerusalem have sought refuge in the temple and cry out to God for protection from the enemy (Gli arredi festivi giù cadano infranti / Throw down and destroy the festive garb!). The High Priest of the Jews, Zaccaria, consoles them: they should not despair, as they have a precious hostage in their hands, namely, Nabucco’s daughter, Fenena, and God will never abandon them (D’Egitto là sui lidi Egli a Mosè diè vita / There upon the shores of Egypt the Lord gave Moses his life). Zaccaria entrusts Fenena to Ismaele, the nephew of the King of Jerusalem, and pleads with God to give the Jewish nation strength to fight (Come notte a sol fulgente / Like night in the sunshine).

Left alone, Fenena and Ismaele recall the moment of their falling in love with each other: Ismaele came to Babylon as Israel’s envoy to Babylon, but he was put under arrest and Fenena helped him to escape. Ismael also mentions Fenena’s elder sister, Abigaille, whose professions of love for him went unanswered, which eventually kindled her hatred of Fenena. At that point, Abigaille bursts into the temple with Babylonian soldiers. Initially enraged by the sight of the two lovers, she presently makes an offer to Ismaele to give his love to her, in exchange for the freedom of his people. The Israelites are in panic at the speed of the Babylonian army’s approach to the temple. Before long the temple is entered by Nabucco with his soldiers. Zaccaria attempts to hold him back, and upon failing he seizes Fenena and threatens to kill her should Nabucco desecrate the temple. Ismaele salvages Fenena and Nabucco commands his men to destroy the temple. Zaccaria and the Israelites curse Ismaele as a traitor.

Act two

The royal palace in Babylon

Scene 1
Nabucco, who has set out for a new military campaign, has appointed Fenena regent for the time of his absence in Babylon. Meanwhile Abigaille, who in her turn harbours unbridled ambition to seize the throne, is dealt yet another blow; she discovers an old document revealing the truth of her background: she is not the king’s daughter, her actual parents were slaves. Determined now to destroy Nabucco and Fenena, she recollects with bitterness the time when she was happy (Anch’io dischiuso un giorno / I too once opened my heart to happiness). The High Priest of Bel informs Abigaille that Fenena has set the captive Israelites free. As the High Priest and his allies wish to install Abigaille on the throne, he has let false reports circulate about Nabucco’s death in battle. Overjoyed, Abigaille accepts the throne in hope it will pave her way to revenge on everyone she hates (Salgo già del trono aurato / I already ascend the golden throne).

Scene 2
Zaccaria blesses Fenena, who intends to convert to Judaism (Vieni, o Levita / Come, oh Levite). A group of Levites arrive who once again accuse Ismaele of treachery, whereupon the latter pleads with them for mercy, in vain. Fenena enters with Zaccaria and his sister, Anna. By now Fenena has converted to Judaism, and her intercession obtains pardon for Ismaele. Abdallo brings the news of Nabucco’s death and Abigaille’s accession to the throne. Presently Abigaille enters surrounded by her followers, calling on Fenena to hand the crown over to her. Fenena refuses. Suddenly Nabucco appears on the scene, gets hold of the crown and proclaims himself not only the king of the Babylonians but also their god. Zaccaria admonishes him and warns him of divine vengeance, whereupon Nabucco contemptuously condemns Zaccaria and the Israelites to death, reaffirming that he is no longer king but is now god. Divine vengeance ensues without delay: Nabucco loses his senses. Abigaille usurps the throne.

Act three

Scene 1
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Abigaille is now Queen of Babylon. The High Priest of Bel asks her to mete out the death sentence on all of the Israelites, including Fenena. Enters Nabucco, still out of his senses, intending to take a seat on the throne. Abigaille uses deceit to make him sign the death penalty on the Israelites. The moment he signs, Nabucco realizes he has also condemned Fenena to death. In despair, he pleads with Abigaille to grant Fenena mercy (Oh di qual onta aggravasi questo mio crin canuto! / Oh, what shame must my old head suffer!), but Abigaille orders his arrest and has him led away as her prisoner.

Scene 2
The banks of the river Euphrates
The captive Israelites yearn for their native land (Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate / Fly, thought, on golden wings). The High Priest, Zaccaria, raises their spirits, auguring the advent of freedom and the final destruction of Babylon. The Israelites draw inspiration from his words and are determined to fight back (Oh chi piange? – Oh futuro! / Oh, who is it weeping? – Oh, future!).

Act four
Scene 1
The royal palace in Babylon
Nabucco awakens, still a prisoner and still not in possession of his senses. He sees Fenena being led in chains. In a fit of extreme despair, he pleads the God of the Israelites, Jehovah, for absolution and help, acknowledging Him as the only true God (Dio di Giuda! / God of Judah!). His pleas are answered: he is miraculously restored to his senses, and joined by Abdallo and other loyal soldiers he hurries to salvage Fenena and punish the traitors (O prodi miei, seguitemi / Oh my valiant men, follow me).

Scene 2
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The captured Israelites are awaiting death. Zaccaria bids farewell to Fenena who is to die first (Va! La palma del martirio / Go, win the palm of martyrdom). The execution is stayed by Nabucco with Abdallo and the soldiers. Nabucco grants the Israelites freedom, proclaims Jehovah to be the sole God, and pledges to have a new temple built to Him (Ah torna, Israello – Immenso Jeovha! / Oh, return once more, Israel – Great Jehovah!). Abigaille, who has taken poison, begs Fenena for forgiveness and God for mercy. She dies, and Zaccaria blesses Nabucco.

Program and cast

Conductor: Hermann Bäumer

Nabucco - Nikoloz Lagvilava; Stepan Drobit

Abigaille - Lilla Lee; Oksana Nosatova

Zaccaria - Ivo Stánchev; Iurie Maimescu

Fenena - Markéta Cukrová; Stanislava Jirků

Ismaele - Richard Samek; Josef Moravec; Maksym Voroček

High Priest of Baal - Jan Hnyk; Miloš Horák

Abdallo - Vít Šantora; Michal Bragagnolo; Michael Skalický

Anna - Veronika Kaiserová; Eliška Gattringerová

Actors - Vojtěch Fülep; David Králík; Michal Soukup; Vojtěch Svoboda

State Opera Chorus
State Opera Orchestra
National Theatre Opera Ballet
Pupils of the Olga Kyndlová Ballet School

A co-production with the Slovak National Theatre.

Stage director: Tomáš Ondřej Pilař

Sets: Petr Vítek

Costumes: Dana Haklová

Choreography: Martin Šinták

Light design: Daniel Tesař

Chorus master: Adolf Melichar, Marek Valášek

Dramaturgy: Jitka Slavíková