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A quick overview of Verdi’s 1842 opera named for Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II.

Premiered

1842

Music by

Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto by

Temistocle Solera

Language

Italian

Nabucco is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed by Verdi in 1841 to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera. The libretto is based on the biblical books of 2 Kings, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Daniel, and on the 1836 play by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu. Antonio Cortese’s ballet adaptation of the play with its necessary simplifications, which was given at La Scala in 1836, was a more important source for Solera than the play itself. The opera was first performed at La Scala in Milan in 1842.

Nabucco is the opera that is considered to have permanently established Verdi’s reputation as a composer. He commented that “this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star.”

The opera follows the plight of enslaved Jews as they are assaulted, conquered, and subsequently exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian king Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II). The historical events are used as background for a romantic and political plot.

The best-known number from the opera is the “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” (“Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” / “Fly, thought, on golden wings”). This chorus is regularly given an encore in many opera houses when Nabucco is performed today.

Act I

Interior of the Temple of Solomon

The Israelites pray as the Babylonian army advances on their city. The High Priest Zaccaria tells the people not to despair but to trust in God. The presence of a hostage, Fenena, younger daughter of Nabucco, King of Babylon, may yet secure peace. Zaccaria entrusts Fenena to Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem and a former envoy to Babylon.

Left alone, Fenena and Ismaele recall how they fell in love when Ismaele was held prisoner by the Babylonians, and how Fenena helped him to escape to Israel. Nabucco’s supposed elder daughter, Abigaille, enters the temple with Babylonian soldiers in disguise. She, too, loves Ismaele.

Discovering the lovers, she threatens Ismaele: if he does not give up Fenena, Abigaille will accuse her of treason. If Ismaele returns Abigaille’s love, however, Abigaille will petition Nabucco on the Israelites’ behalf. Ismaele tells Abigaille that he cannot love her and she vows revenge.

Nabucco enters with his warriors. Zaccaria defies him, threatening to kill Fenena if Nabucco attacks the temple. Ismaele intervenes to save Fenena, which removes any impediment from Nabucco destroying the temple. He orders this, while Zaccaria and the Israelites curse Ismaele as a traitor.

Act IV

Scene 1: Royal apartments in Babylon

Nabucco awakens, still confused and raving. He sees Fenena in chains being taken to her death. In despair, he prays to the God of the Hebrews. He asks for forgiveness and promises to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and convert to Judaism if his prayers are answered. Miraculously, his strength and reason are immediately restored. Abdallo and loyal soldiers enter to release him. Nabucco resolves to rescue Fenena and the Israelites as well as to punish the traitors.

Scene 2: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Fenena and the Israelite prisoners are led in to be sacrificed. Fenena serenely prepares for death. Nabucco rushes in with Abdallo and other soldiers. He declares that he will rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem and worship the God of the Israelites, ordering the destruction of the idol of Bel.

At his word, the idol falls to the ground of its own accord and shatters into pieces. Nabucco tells the Israelites that they are now free and all join in praise of Jehovah. Abigaille enters, supported by soldiers. She has poisoned herself. She begs forgiveness of Fenena, prays for God’s mercy, and dies. Zaccaria proclaims Nabucco the servant of God and king of kings.

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