Nabucco

  • 2012/2013 Season
  • [New Production]
    Giuseppe Verdi : Nabucco
    Opera in 4 Acts
    Sung in Italian with Japanese Supertitles
  • OPERA HOUSE

Antonello Madau Diaz's Nabucco was staged at the NNTT in our first season in 1998 and was revived in 2001, which marked the 100th year since Verdi's death. In 2013 we will present a new production, in what will be the first staging of Nabucco by the NNTT in 12 years. Verdi composed a total of 26 operas. His third, Nabucco, was a major success and the one that launched him to prominence. We are pleased to present it in tribute to the composer, on the bicentenary of his birth. The score features a magnificent choral piece that is among the best known in all of opera, and considered Italy's unofficial national anthem: "Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate / Fly, thought, on wings of gold." The production will feature a cast of soloists from Japan and overseas, and our very own fine New National Theatre Chorus. On the podium will be Paolo Carignani, making his long-anticipated debut as an opera conductor here at the NNTT. Artistic Director Otaka Tadaaki saw Mr. Carignani's talents on display with the Vienna Philharmonic, and said it was an awe-inspiring performance. Mr. Carignani has earned himself many fans through his work as a guest conductor for orchestral programs in Japan, and we're hoping this production of Nabucco may turn some of these orchestra fans onto opera as well. This new production is the work of English opera director Graham Vick. Mr. Vick's Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) played at the Teatro Comunale di Firenze in 1996, and his production of Otello played at the Teatro alla Scala in 2003. Graham Vick's visionary productions have been performed at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses and music festivals, and anticipation is high to see what his newest production has in store.

SYNOPSIS

It is the 6th century BC. Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II), King of Babylon, has two daughters: Abigaille and Fenena. In truth, Abigaille was born to slave parents. Fenena, Nabucco's real daughter, is being held hostage in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with whom Babylon is at war. Nabucco is poised to enter Jerusalem, and the Jews are in despair. The high priest Zaccaria brings Fenena before them, and reassures the populace that they have nothing to fear as long as they hold in their custody the daughter of the enemy king. It turns out Ishmaele, the nephew of the king of Jerusalem, is in love with Fenena. Abigaille storms into the Temple of Jerusalem with a band of Babylonian soldiers. Abigaille is in love with Ishmaele. She tells him that if he returns her love, she will help his people; Ishmaele says he cannot. Nabucco enters the temple and blasphemes against God. The outraged Zaccaria threatens to kill Fenena with a dagger, but Ishmaele takes the weapon from him. Nabucco orders the temple be burned, and takes the Jews as captives back to Babylon. High off his victory, Nabucco declares he is no longer king, but God. He is promptly struck by a thunderbolt and rendered senseless. Meanwhile, Abigaille has discovered a document showing that she is the child of slaves. She seethes with hatred for the lovers, Ishmaele and Fenena. Abigaille tricks the confused Nabucco and gets him to seal a death decree for the Jews and Fenena, who has converted to the Jewish religion out of love for Ishamaele. Abigaille destroys the document with the evidence of her true origins. She places Nabucco in confinement, and makes plans to seize the throne. The Jews, held prisoner on the banks of the Euphrates river, sing with longing for their homeland: "Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate / Fly, thought, on wings of gold." Just as they and Fenena are about to be killed, Nabucco regains his senses. He begs forgiveness from Jehovah, and sets out to rescue Fenena. On his order, the Idol of Baal is destroyed, and the Jews are set free.

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