Nabucco - Schedule, Program & Tickets

Cast

Musical direction
Giampaolo Bisanti

Staging
Günter Krämer

Stage
Petra Buchholz Manfred Voss

Costumes
Falk Bauer

Light
Manfred Voss

Nabucco
Amartuvshin Enkhbat

Ismaele
Ivan Magrì

Zaccaria
Ildar Abdrazakov

Abigaille
Anna Pirozzi

Fenena
Szilvia Vörös


Contents

Not only did Verdi achieve his breakthrough with Nabucco in 1842, it was also his first stage work, which was performed in Vienna just a year after the world premiere in Milan – under the personal direction of the composer. Nabucco only found its way into the permanent repertoire of the Vienna State Opera in 2001. Since then, however, the play about the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the deportation of the Jews into Babylonian exile has also been one of Verdi's most frequently performed operas in this house. The popularity is not only due to the famous prisoners' choir, but also to the monumental figures of the megalomaniac tyrant and his erotically frustrated and all the more power-obsessed stepdaughter Abigaille. With this melodically and rhythmically stirring score, the young Verdi inherited the legacy of his predecessors Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti.


The plot

1st part: Jerusalem

War is raging between Assyria and Israel. Nabucco, king of the Assyrians, has occupied Jerusalem, and the last surviving Israelites—the Levites and the Temple people—have taken refuge in the sanctuary of the Temple. The prophet Zaccaria takes a hostage: Fenena, the daughter of Nabucco, who once helped the Jew Ismaele escape from Babylon; Fenena's sister Abigaille held him back out of jealousy. Ismaele wants to help Fenena to escape when both are surprised by Abigaille. She blackmails Ismaele: only his love for her can save the Jews. Ismaele chooses Fenena. When Nabucco enters the temple, Zaccaria wants to kill his hostage, but Ismaele catches his arm and saves Fenena. His people curse him. All Hebrews go into captivity.

2nd part: The wicked

Ismaele lives in freedom cursed. Nabucco has handed over the crown to Fenena during his absence. The high priest of the Babylonians sends Abigaille a secret document that explains the reasons for her disadvantage: she is the daughter of a slave. Thus, Abigaille can be blackmailed and used for the high priest's claims to power. He offers her the crown; the rumor of Nabucco's death has already been spread by the priesthood.

In order to break the spell of Ismaele, Fenena has freed the Jews, but they remain merciless. By converting to the Jewish faith, Fenena is guilty of high treason - according to the high priest's plan. Both sisters are now rivals for power, but the decisive battle is fought in the background by Zaccaria and the high priest. The returned Nabucco sees himself betrayed from all sides and curses both the Babylonian and the Jewish faith. As a new instance, he equates himself with a god – whose first victim is supposed to be Fenena. This arrogance and the abuse of his power cause Nabucco to collapse.

3rd part: The prophecy

Abigaille can now enjoy the glory of a queen: all the Hebrews are again in captivity - including the beloved Ismaele. The high priest demands the destruction of all. Nabucco, clairvoyant through madness, sees through Abigaille's intentions. Father and daughter now blackmail each other: he calls her a slave, she provokes him with his weakness as a king. Nabucco is not yet ready to understand the fate of an entire people, he only asks for mercy for Fenena. In vain. After signing the death warrant, he becomes a prisoner himself. In the dungeon, the Jews await death. In a bloody vision, Zaccaria prophesies doom and annihilation for all of Israel's enemies.

4th part: The broken idol

Nabucco is scarred by the terrible events. He weeps his whole life, the life of a genocide and daughter murderer. Suddenly the doors of the dungeon are open. With his soldiers, Nabucco can prevent the execution of the Jews and free Fenena. He's too late for Abigaille. She ended her life. The king of the Assyrians gives freedom to all. Peace could be between Assyria and Israel...



Subject to change.