Nabucco
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| Operas by Giuseppe Verdi |
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Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio (1839) |
For the pipeline, see Nabucco Pipeline.
Nabucco (short for Nabucodonosor, English Nebuchadnezzar)[1] is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the biblical story and the play by Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu. Its first performance took place on March 9, 1842 at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan. The best-known number from this opera is Hebrews' Chorus, "Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate" ("Fly, thought, on golden wings").
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[edit] History
The opera, Verdi’s third, is considered to be the one that permanently established his reputation as a composer. Nabucco follows the plight of the Jews as they are assaulted and subsequently exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian King Nabucco (in English, Nebuchadnezzar).
[edit] Critical reaction
Verdi commented that, "[w]ith this opera, my artistic career may be said to have begun". He was right: Nabucco was an instant success, dominating Donizetti and Pacini operas playing nearby. While the public went mad with enthusiasm, the critics tempered their approval of the opera.
Amusingly, one critic who found Nabucco revolting was Otto Nicolai, the composer to whom the libretto was offered first. A thoroughly Prussian-bred man, Nicolai felt at odds with emotional Italian opera while he lived near Milan. After refusing to accept the libretto proposal from Merelli, Nicolai began work on another offer called Il Proscritto. Its disastrous premiere in March 1841 forced Nicolai to cancel his contract with Merelli and flee to Vienna. From there he learned of Nabucco's success and was enraged. "[Verdi's operas] are really horrible," he wrote. "He scores like a fool — technically he is not even professional — and he must have the heart of a donkey and in my view he is a pitiful, despicable composer … ". Additionally, he described Nabucco as nothing but "rage, invective, bloodshed and murder."
Nicolai's opinions were in the minority, however, and he has today become comparatively obscure. Nabucco secured Verdi's success until his retirement from theatre, sixteen operas later.
Music historians have long perpetuated a powerful myth about the famous "Va, pensiero" chorus sung in the third act by the Hebrew slaves. Scholars have long believed the audience, responding with nationalistic fervor to the slave's powerful hymn of longing for their homeland, demanded an encore of the piece. As encores were expressly forbidden by the government at the time, such a gesture would have been extremely significant. However, recent scholarship puts this and the corresponding myth of "Va, pensiero" as the national anthem of the Risorgimento, to rest. Although the audience did indeed demand an encore, it was not for "Va, pensiero" but rather for the hymn "Immenso Jehova," sung by the Hebrew slaves to thank God for saving his people. In light of these new revelations, Verdi's position as the musical figurehead of the Risorgimento has been correspondingly downplayed. Today, "Va, pensiero" is regularly given an encore when performed; interestingly, it is the only encore Metropolitan Opera conductor James Levine has ever allowed.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Characters
Nabucco, King of Babylon - baritone
Abigaille, supposedly his elder daughter - soprano
Fenena, his daughter - mezzo-soprano
Ismaele, son of the King of Jerusalem - tenor
Zaccaria, high priest of the Jews - basso
Anna, Zaccaria's sister - soprano
Abdallo, Babylonian soldier - tenor
High priest of Baal - basso
people, soldiers
The scene is Jerusalem and Babylon. All events occur during 587 BC.
[edit] Act One: Jerusalem
'Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I shall deliver this city into the hand of the King of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire' (Jeremiah 21:10)
Interior of the Temple of Jerusalem
The Jews are being defeated and Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) is poised to enter Jerusalem. 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, may yet secure peace. Zaccaria entrusts Fenena to Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem and a former envoy to Babylon. Although Fenena and Ismaele love each other, when they are left alone, Ismaele urges her to escape rather than risk her life. Nabucco's elder daughter, Abigaille, storms into the temple with soldiers in disguise. She, too, loves Ismaele. Discovering the lovers, she threatens Ismaele: if he does not give up Fenena, Abigail will accuse her of treason. The King himself enters ('Viva Nabucco'). Zaccaria defies him, threatening to kill Fenena with a dagger. Ismaele intervenes to save her. Nabucco responds by ordering the destruction of the temple, and the Jews curse Ismaele as a traitor.
[edit] Act Two: The Unbeliever
'Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth, it shall fall upon the head of the wicked' (Jeremiah 30:23)
Scene 1: The Palace in Babylon
Nabucco is away at the wars and has appointed Fenena as regent. Abigaille has discovered a document that proves she is not Nabucco's real daughter, but a slave. The High Priest of Baal, accompanied by the Magi, comes to tell Abigaille that Fenena has released the Jewish captives. Their response is to launch a coup to put Abigaille on the throne, while spreading a rumour that Nabucco has died in battle.
Scene 2: A hall in the Palace in Babylon
Fenena is converted to the Jewish religion, and Ismaele is reconciled to the Jews. However it is announced that the King is dead and Abigaille and the High Priest of Baal demand the crown from Fenena. Unexpectedly, Nabucco himself enters, scorning both sides, both Baal and the Hebrew god that he has defeated. He declares himself God. When Zaccaria objects, Nabucco orders the Jews to be put to death. Fenena says that she will share their fate. Repeating that he is now god ('Non son piu re, son dio'), Nabucco is promptly hit by a thunderbolt and loses his senses. The crown falls and is picked up by Abigaille.
[edit] Act Three: The Prophecy
'Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein'. (Jeremiah 50:39)
Scene 1: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The High Priest of Baal presents Abigaille with the death decree for the Jews and Fenena. Nabucco enters looking like a mad man, claiming his throne. Abigaille persuades him to seal the decree, but he asks that Fenena be saved. He tells Abigaille that she is not his true daughter but a slave. Abigaille mocks him, destroying the document with the evidence of her true origins. Understanding that he is now a prisoner, he pleads for Fenena's life. Abigaille exults.
Scene 2: Banks of the River Euphrates
The Jews long for their homeland ('Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate'). Zaccaria once again exhorts them to have faith: God will destroy Babylon.
[edit] Act Four: The Shattered Idol
'Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.' (Jeremiah 50:2)
Scene 1: The Palace in Babylon
Nabucco awakens, his strength and his reason fully regained. He sees Fenena in chains being taken to her death. Asking forgiveness of the God of the Jews, he promises to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and follow the true faith. Joined by loyal soldiers, he resolves to punish the traitors and rescue Fenena.
Scene 2: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
As the Jews and Fenena prepare for death on the sacrificial altar of Baal, Nabucco rushes in, sword in hand. At his word the Idol of Baal shatters into pieces. Nabucco tells the Jews they are free. A new Temple will be raised to their God. Abigaille enters. She has poisoned herself. She expresses her remorse, asks the forgiveness of Fenena and dies. Zaccaria acclaims Nabucco as the servant of God and the King of Kings.
[This synopsis by Simon Holledge was first published on Opera japonica http://www.operajaponica.org and appears here by permission.]
[edit] Orchestration
It is scored for two flutes (one doubling as piccolo), two oboes (one doubling as English horn), two clarinets, two bassoons, four French horns, two trumpets, three trombones (two tenor, one bass), one cimbasso, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, side drum, triangle, two harps, strings, and an onstage band.
Average performance time is 2 hours, 15 minutes plus one intermission.
[edit] References
- Budden, Julian. The Operas of Verdi. Vol. 1. London: Cassell Ltd, 1973. 89–-112.
- Parker, Roger. Nabucco. Retrieved May 22, 2005.
[edit] External links
- Opera Guide Synopsis - Libretto - Highlights
- Libretto to Nabucco (in Italian)
- Contextual commentary to libretto (in English)
- Creative Commons MP3 Recording
- For the pipeline, see Nabucco Pipeline
