When to see it
-
These events are part of the Winter 2021/22 season.
The Story
Nabucco, King of Babylon, takes Jerusalem in his war with the Israelites – but his daughter Fenena loves the Israelite Ismaele. She releases their prisoners, leading her vengeful half-sister Abigaille to plot to take power. Nabucco declares himself a god and is struck by a bolt of lightning.
Abigaille tricks the now feeble king into signing a death warrant for the Israelites, including Fenena and Ismaele. Nabucco prays to the God of Israel for forgiveness; his sanity is restored and he saves the prisoners from death. He converts himself and his people, while Abigaille commits suicide.
Background
Following the spectacular failure of his second opera, Un giorno di regno, Giuseppe Verdi vowed never to compose another. But he was lured back to the theatre by Bartolomeo Merelli, the impresario of La Scala, Milan, with the commission for Nabucco. The resulting opera was a triumph – first performed in 1842, it was revived the same year with a run of 57 shows. As Verdi wrote: ‘with this opera, it can truly be said that my artistic career began.’
Daniele Abbado’s production is set in the second half of the 20th century and explores the reality of conflict, where friend and enemy may become indistinguishable. An enormous chorus lends weight to epic numbers such as ‘Immenso Jehova’ – the Hebrew Slaves’ triumphant hymn of thanksgiving – and their song of exile, ‘Va, pensiero’, widely considered to be Italy’s unofficial national anthem. There are wonderful bass and baritone roles in the figures of Nabucco, the Babylonian King (based on the biblical King Nebuchadnezzar) and Zaccaria, the Hebrew prophet – while in Abigaille, Verdi created a memorable anti-heroine, at once terrifying and pitiable. Throughout, the score blends rhythmic vitality and powerful drama, and is on a scale to do justice to the opera’s epic themes.
News and features
-
10 of opera's greatest soprano roles
15 September 2016
From the Queen of the Night to Turandot by way of Norma and Brünnhilde, we round up some of opera’s most devilishly difficult soprano roles.
-
Watch: ‘Verdi felt the people of his own nation needed a voice’ – Why Nabucco remains politically potent
22 June 2016
Stars of Daniele Abbado’s production discuss why Verdi's Biblical epic was politically potent in his own time, and why it remains relevant today.
-
Your Reaction: Nabucco live on BP Big Screens and YouTube
9 June 2016
What did you think of Verdi's epic opera starring Plácido Domingo?
-
Watch: Verdi’s Nabucco on demand
9 June 2016
Daniele Abbado’s production starring Plácido Domingo was live-streamed online and relayed to BP Big Screens around the UK.
-
Your Reaction: Verdi’s Nabucco 2016
7 June 2016
What did you think of the return of Daniele Abbado’s powerful production of Verdi’s epic opera?
-
Verdi's Nabucco musical highlight: ‘Donna, chi sei?’
6 June 2016
Verdi shines the spotlight on the opera’s bad guys in this thrilling, ferocious duet.