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Monday, June 15, 2009
Nabucco: Verdi's First Success
Nabucco was Verdi’s third opera and his first true success. But what was the measure of success in opera in 1840s Italy? What were other composers doing at the time? Who inspired Verdi? Let’s explore this opera by placing it in the context of music and drama of that time.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Meeting Abigaille
No, not your Aunt Abigail, or Abigail Adams, but Abigaille...ah-bee-gah-EE-leh...the power hungry, curtain chewing villainess in Verdi's Nabucco, one of our 2010 productions. She's ruined many a voice, beginning with the very first lady who attempted the role. Let's get to know her a bit and find out what it is that makes her so, well, difficult!
Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar)
Warrior. Conqueror. King. Nation after nation has fallen to Nabucco’s Babylonian might. Now he has destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, enslaved the Hebrews, taken their revered High-Priest Zaccaria hostage and, worst of all, declared himself a god. The full wrath of the God of the Hebrews, descends on Nabucco in a bolt of lightening. He goes mad, his treacherous daughter Abigaille usurps his crown and condemns his beloved daughter Fenena to death. Imprisoned and desperate, Nabucco’s only hope for deliverance is to pray – to the very God he offended.
From exhilarating arias to the immortal chorus “Va, pensiero”, Verdi’s electrifying music tells this epic with breathtaking glory. And bringing it to life is an exceptional cast: Richard Paul Fink, star of the Metropolitan Opera, is Nabucco. Our 2009 Tosca, Sylvie Valayre, returns as Abigaille and handsome American bass, Raymond Aceto debuts as the Hebrew High-Priest Zaccaria.
The running time is approximately 3 hours, including two 20-minute intermissions.
San Diego Opera Thanks
Nabucco's Corporate Producing Partner