Nabucco

January 23. 2016 - February 12. 2016

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January 23. 2016 - February 12. 2016

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Nabucco

Politics. Religion. A dangerous love triangle. Plus two killer roles and some of the greatest choral music ever written, including the soul-stirring "Va, pensiero" chorus. The ensembles are as thrilling as the arias in the opera that made Verdi a star!

On one side, the fiery Hebrew priest Zaccaria, battling to lead his people from oppression. On the other, Nabucco, the tyrannical Babylonian king and his adopted daughter Abigaille, who will stop at nothing to get her father's throne and her sister's lover.

Željko Lučić (Lyric's riveting Rigoletto in 2013) is Nabucco, a role compared to Shakespeare's King Lear in its majestic sweep. This is Verdi’s first great role for baritone! Experience Nabucco’s journey from despised despot to self-proclaimed god -- and then from paranoid madman to grateful father redeemed by faith.

And watch as dramatic-soprano phenom Tatiana Serjan eats up the stage as the warrior princess Abigaille, worthy sister to Lady Macbeth in her lust for power. There’s no leading lady in opera more formidable than Abigaille, who sails up to blockbusting high Cs at the slightest provocation!

Russian’s mighty Dmitry Belosselskiy is Zaccaria, one of Verdi’s few roles for a truly virtuoso bass. And velvet-voiced Elizabeth DeShong is Nabucco’s gentle daughter Fenena, whose sweet, soulful music is the perfect contrast to the fiery Abigaille!

Language: In Italian with projected English titles
Running Time: 2 hours 47 minutes including 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

Nabucco videos

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See what critics are saying about Verdi's Nabucco at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Director, Matthew Ozawa, (briefly) explains the plot of Nabucco

Director, Matthew Ozzawa, summarizes the plot of Verdi's, Nabucco.

Nabucco

by Giuseppe Verdi

Warner Classics – Manuguerra, Scotto, cond. Muti
Warner Classics is the Official Education and Promotion Music Provider of Lyric Opera.

“Deh perdona, deh perdona”

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“Va, pensiero”

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Nabucco

by Giuseppe Verdi

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.

Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin

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Nabucco articles

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A First Look at Nabucco with Director Matthew Ozawa

Love, death, oppression, redemption...just a few words director Matthew Ozawa uses to describe Verdi's majestic opera Nabucco. "This opera is mammoth and rarely done...it feels electric at every twist and turn."

Nabucco – A Really Big Show

Sometimes, grand opera just has to be, well, GRAND. Outsized, supersized, overwhelming. Call it what you will, Verdi's Nabucco is all that.

The reviews are in for Verdi's soul-stirring Nabucco

Verdi's impassioned opera Nabucco, known for its unstoppable drama and rousing choral music, opened at Lyric to a lot of buzz about the twisted tale of politics, religion, and love! See for yourself what the critics are saying.

Synopsis

TIME: 586 B.C.

Jerusalem
Inside the temple of Solomon

The Assyrian king, Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) of Babylon, is rapidly advancing with his army toward the temple of Solomon. Within the temple walls, the Hebrews beg their god, Jehovah, not to let them fall prey to Nabucco (Chorus: Gli arredi festivi). The prophet Zaccaria brings in Nabucco’s daughter, Fenena, who is his hostage. Ismaele rushes in and announces that Nabucco has entered the city. Zaccaria entrusts Fenena to Ismaele, as he prepares for the final battle.

Fenena and Ismaele recall the time when Ismaele – as ambassador of Judea – was imprisoned in Babylon. Fenena rescued him, undeterred by the jealousy of her sister Abigaille, who loves Ismaele as well. Ismaele vows to free Fenena, although he would have to betray his own religion. Abigaille invades the temple at the head of a group of warriors. She taunts the lovers bitterly, but then, turning to Ismaele, reminds him that if he loved her, she could save his people (Trio: Io t’amavo!).

Just after the horrified Hebrews rush in, Nabucco arrives in triumph. Confronting an outraged Zaccaria, the king vows to destroy the Hebrews. Zaccaria threatens to kill Fenena, but Ismaele disarms him. Nabucco orders the temple sacked and burned. Zaccaria calls on Jehovah to punish Ismaele for betraying his people.
Babylon

Scene 1. An apartment in Nabucco’s palace.

Nabucco has gone off to battle, leaving Fenena as regent. Meanwhile, Abigaille, who had believed herself Nabucco’s daughter, has discovered a document proving she was born a slave. She vows that her anger will destroy Nabucco, but then pauses to think sadly of her love for Ismaele (Cavatina: Anch’io dischiuso un giorno). The High Priest of Baal comes to inform her that Fenena is setting the Hebrews free. Abigaille proclaims that Fenena will soon be begging a slave for mercy (Cabaletta: Salgo già dal trono aurato).

Scene 2. A hall in the palace.

Zaccaria meditates on the greatness of Jehovah’s law (Prayer: Tu sul labbro) as he goes to give spiritual tutorship to Fenena. A group of Levites gathers and Ismaele attempts to speak with them, but they curse him furiously for his supposed betrayal (Chorus: Il maledetto non ha fratelli). Anna enters with the news that Fenena has converted to the Hebrew religion. Abdallo, one of Nabucco’s officers, rushes in to urge Fenena to flee, since Nabucco is presumed dead in battle and the Babylonians are now calling for Abigaille to seize power. Entering with the High Priest of Baal, Abigaille orders Fenena to hand the crown over to her. Nabucco appears with his soldiers (Finale: S’apressan gl’istanti d’un ira fatale) and claims the crown. Accusing the Babylonians of betraying him, he declares that the only god to be worshipped is himself. Suddenly struck by a thunderbolt, he becomes delirious and finally collapses.
Babylon

Scene 1. The palace’s throne room.

The High Priest presents Abigaille with a death warrant authorizing the slaying of the Hebrews. When Nabucco is brought to Abigaille, he is incensed upon seeing her occupying the throne that is rightfully his (Duet: Donna, chi sei?…Oh, di qual’ onta aggravasi…Deh, perdona). She goads him into signing the warrant, and declares that the victims will include Fenena. Appalled, Nabucco orders Abigaille, a slave, to kneel before him. Seizing the document confirming her humble birth, Abigaille triumphantly tears it to pieces. Nabucco mocks himself as the mere shadow of a king. Trumpets announce that the hour of execution is approaching. When Nabucco begs Abigaille to have mercy on Fenena, she is unrelenting, leaving him in despair.

Scene 2. The banks of the Euphrates.

The Hebrews long for their homeland (Chorus: Va, pensiero). They are roused from this reverie by Zaccaria, who prophesies the destruction of Babylon (Aria with Chorus: Del futuro nel buio discerno).
Babylon

Scene 1. A royal chamber in the palace.

Nabucco is a prisoner in his own palace, where he suddenly awakens after the horrors of a nightmare. He hears a war cry, and then voices shouting Fenena’s name. Nabucco sees his weeping daughter in chains, being led to her execution. Powerless to save her, he prays to the god of the Hebrews for forgiveness, and swears that the temple will rise once more (Aria: Dio di Giuda). The faithful Abdallo arrives with soldiers. His sanity now restored, Nabucco readies himself for battle (Cabaletta: O prodi miei, seguitemi).

Scene 2. The temple of Baal.

Fenena offers a final prayer (Aria: O, dischiuso è il firmamento!). The rites of execution are interrupted by the sudden appearance of Nabucco, who destroys the altar of Baal. Joined by Zaccaria and all the freed prisoners, he proclaims the greatness of the Hebrews’ god. Abigaille, who has taken poison, enters haltingly (Finale: Su me…morente… esanime). After begging Fenena’s forgiveness, she asks Jehovah not to curse her and falls dead.

Program book

Go inside this production of Nabucco with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Željko Lučić

Nabucco

Serbian baritone Željko Lučić's Lyric credits include Giorgio Germont/La traviata (2018|19).

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Tatiana Serjan

Abigaille

Russian soprano Tatiana Serjan triumphed at Lyric as Abigaille/ Nabucco (2015|16)

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Dmitry Belosselskiy

Bass

Russian bass Dmitry Belosselskiy's Lyric credits include Gremin/ Eugene Onegin (2016|17) and Zaccaria/Nabucco (2015|16).

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Elizabeth DeShong

Fenena

Ryan Opera Center alumna

American mezzo-soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna Elizabeth DeShong has sung 14 roles with Lyric Opera.

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Sergey Skorokhodov

Isamele

Russian tenor Sergey Skorokhodov made his Lyric debut as Ismaele/Nabucco (2015|16)

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Stefan Szkafarowsky

High Priest

New York City native and Ryan Opera Center alumni Stefan Szkafarowsky has sung 13 roles at Lyric since 1985|86

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Laura Wilde

Anna

Ryan Opera Center alumna

Ryan Opera Center alumna Laura Wilde's Lyric credits include Ortlinde/Die Walküre (2017|18).

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Jesse Donner

Abdallo

Iowa native and Ryan Opera Center member Jesse Donner's Lyric credits include Abdallo/Nabucco (2015|16); Walther/Tannhäuser, and Servant/Capriccio (both 2014|15).

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Carlo Rizzi

Conductor

Critically acclaimed Milan-born conductor Carlo Rizzi's Lyric credits include Nabucco (2015|16), Norma (1996|97) and The Barber of Seville (1994|95).

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Matthew Ozawa

Director

American director Matthew Ozawa directed five operas since 2015|16, most recently The Three Queens (2019|20)

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Michael Yeargan

Set Designer

He has created sets (and sometimes costumes) for many major American companies, among them the Metropolitan Opera (12 productions to date) and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, and Washington opera companies, as well as the Glimmerglass Festival, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Frankfurt Opera, and Opera Australia.

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Jane Greenwood

Costume Designer

Award-winning costume designer Jane Greenwood's Lyric credits include Nabucco (2015|16), Rigoletto (2012|13, 2005|06) and The Great Gatsby (2000|01)

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Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Former resident lighting designer Duane Schuler worked on more than 140 productions at Lyric Opera since 1977.

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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