Review: NABUCCO at The Metropolitan Opera

"Power to the people" could very well be the mantra for the gorgeous opera Nabucco highlighted by the inspiring Va Pensiero chorus sung by the Hebrew slaves as they pray to G-d for their dream to return to their homeland of Jerusalem to take flight. As I sat in the Metropolitan opera house recently, witnessing the opera with several thousand others, I have to believe that there was no one in that audience who was not moved. Nabucco reminds us all that the Bible, like Shakespeare, is timeless. Its lessons span millennia and are repeated over and over again. What could be more relevant than a chorus of voices-the voices of common man- protesting the status quo and begging for change? At its core, Nabucco is a story about the power of protest, faith, the triumph of good over evil, and man's G-d given right to freedom. The story line is based on historical fact, and the true, historical tyrant's name was Nebuchodnezer. He really did convert to Judaism after a series of events that turned in the favor of the Hebrew slaves. Against this political and historical backdrop is an intense love story: As usual, lovers are dealing with their emotions and the strain and pull of outside forces: another timeless theme. I truly believe that one reason for Nabucco's success, and the fact that this opera is what carried Verdi through the end of his career, is the fact that the cause (protest for a better status quo), and the sub plot of a love story, are relatable. Of course, the fact that Giuseppe Verdi set the story line to an unbelievably infectious score makes all the difference. Perhaps his own, personal pain added to his inspiration. He suffered quite a few tragedies in his own lifetime. Add to the music the incredibly clever and gorgeous set- a "lazy susan" rotates to highlight three themes: the golden calf, the temple, and the Jerusalem stone wall -and you have the perfect combination of art, story and music

Metropolitan Opera's most current version of Nabucco is a spectacle that should not be missed. Not for the individual voices, or the chorus, or the art. I wasn't there for Domingo, but the leads, Dmitry Belosselsky, Russell Thomas, Jamie Barton, Zelijko Lucic, Liudmyla Monastyrska, Danielle Talamantes, etc...did a formidable job. The Va pensiero chorus was equally impressive and as what usually happens in Nabucco. it received not one, but two separate standing ovations. Don't miss Nabucco if you want to experience an evening of inspirational music, art and history. Bravo!!!

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