Nabucco at Arena di Verona

Dates: (6/19/2015 - 9/5/2015 )

Theatre:

Arena di Verona

Via Roma 7/d
Verona,Verona 37121

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Phone: +39 0458005151

Tickets: €23.00 - €180.00

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Cast Creative Edit

ACT ONE

In the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem

The Hebrews and the Levites are gathered together in Solomon's temple to lament the fate of the Israelites, who have just been defeated by the Babylonian king Nabucco, who is about to enter the city at the head of his victorious army. The high priest Zaccaria encourages his followers not to abandon hope as they are holding a valuable hostage, Fenena, Nabucco's daughter. Fenena is entrusted to the custody of Ismaele, nephew of the king Sedecia of Jerusalem. Ismaele, however, is in love with Fenena, who had freed him, at a greater personal risk, when he was held prisoner in Babylon. He now intends to return the favour. The two are planning to run away together when Abigaille, whom everyone believes to be Nabucco's first-born daughter enters the temple, carrying a sword in her hand, at the head of a band of Babylonian soldiers who are disguised as Hebrews. In a whisper, Abigaille declares her love to Ismaele and offers freedom to all the Hebrews in return for his love. Ismaele refuses to be blackmailed. In the meantime a crowd of Hebrews, who are being hunted down by Nabucco's soldiers, seek refuge in the temple. Then the king himself appears on the threshold. Zaccaria threatens to kill Fenena if Nabucco and his people dare violate the sacred place. He raises his dagger to Fenena but Ismaele intervenes and saves her from death. Zaccaria condemns Ismaele for being a traitor. Nabucco, embracing his daughter, orders that the temple be put to fire and sword.

ACT TWO

Sacrilege

Scene I

The apartments of the Royal Palace in Babylon

From a document Nabucco had kept secret, Abigaille learns of her true origins; she is not Nabucco's first-born but some slave's daughter. She is disturbed, but perseveres in her plans to wreak vengeance on Fenena, to whom Nabucco has entrusted the throne during his absence fighting the Hebrews. She contemplates having her rival murdered, taking over the throne and spreading the news that Nabucco is dead. She is supported by the high priest of Belo.

Scene II

In another wing of the Royal Palace in Babylon Zaccaria, together with his people, is going to Fenena's apartments to convince her to convert to the Jewish fate. A chorus of Levites is heard cursing Ismaele for having saved Fenena; he is seen as a traitor by everyone. Zaccaria orders the Levites to stop insulting Ismaele, that he is not a traitor as he saved from death a converted woman. Abigaille is about to carry out her plan when Nabucco unexpectedly returns. He grasps the crown and declares himself sole king and God of a people who must adore him for eternity. At these blasphemous words a thunderbolt of lightening strikes beside the terrorised King and he feels the crown being snatched from his head by a supernatural force. A deep silence follows the confusion caused by this mysterious event. Abigaille takes advantage of it to pick up the fallen crown and swears that the "splendour of the people of Belo shall never be extinguished".

ACT THREE

The Phophecy

Scene I

The Hanging gardens in the Royal Palace in Babylon

Abigaille, who has proclaimed herself queen, is seated on the throne to receive the homage of the nobles of the kingdom in the presence of the High Priest. Suddenly Nabucco appears in shabby clothes behaving in a deranged way and Abigaille tricks him into giving the royal seal to ratify the death sentence on all the Hebrew prisoners, including the converted Fenena. Nabucco, realizing the trick too late, protests and orders Abigaille to prostrate herself before him, threatening to reveal the details of her birth. He looks for the birth certificate but - laughing - Abigaille exhibits it in her hands, shows it to him, then tears it to pieces. She consigns the old king to the guards to be imprisoned. Nabucco, in despair, promises Abigaille that he will abdicate the throne in her favour if she grants pardon to Fenena. Abigaille, with a sardonic and scornful smile, refuses to do so.

Scene II

On the banks of the Euphrates

The Hebrews, condemned to hard work, lament their "beautiful and distant motherland" and call on the Lord for help. Zaccaria encourages them with the solemn prophecy that wrathful vengeance is going to descend on Babylon.

ACT FOUR

The Broken Idol

Scene I

Apartments in the Royal Palace of Babylon

Nabucco, waking from a heavy sleep full of nightmares, hears Fenena's name from the street. He runs to the balcony and backs away in terror and desperation on seeing his daughter bound in chains and escorted by soldiers, while all around her echo the cries of "Death!". In vain he tries to leave the palace, only to find himself a prisoner. Then he kneels down in prayer to implore mercy from the God of the Hebrews. The doors immediately open and a band of faithful guards enter he is no longer a poor madman, for they recognize him as the rightful King. With acclamations they unsheathe their swords and follow him to reclaim his crown and free Fenena.

Scene II

In the Hanging Gardens of the Royal Palace in Babylon

Fenena has already been led with other Hebrews to the sacrificial altar erected in the Hanging Gardens, and the High Priest of Belo is about to carry out the sacrificial ceremony, when Nabucco and his followers enter. He orders the overthrow of the simulacrum of the God. The idol, even before being touched, falls to the ground and shatters into pieces. The Jews are liberated and Nabucco exhorts his people to bow before the great God of the Jews, Jehovah. Abigaille, defeated in every way, poisons herself and goes with two of her followers to where the slaughter should have been carried out. Before dying, she asks for her sister's forgiveness and puts the two lovers, Ismaele and Fenena under Nabucco's protection so that the King may allow their marriage and give them his blessing. She dies invoking the God of the Jews

Cast and Creative team for Nabucco at Arena di Verona

Dramma lirico in 4 acts by
Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto by
Temistocle Solera

Director Gianfranco de Bosio
Set Rinaldo Olivieri

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