OVERVIEW

Libretto by Temistocle Solera (1815–1878)
Musical preparation Adam Sedlický
Stage director Jiří Nekvasil
Based on the original staging directed by Miloslav Nekvasil and designed by Vladimír Šrámek from 1968

"Go, thoughts, on golden wings; go, settle upon the slopes and hills, where warm and soft and fragrant are the breezes of our sweet native land!"

Nabucco, Verdi’s third opera, is based on the Old Testament Bible story about the Babylonian king Nabucodonosor (ca. 630–526 BC). Verdi composed this opera using libretto written by his frequent librettist Temistocle Solera, who learnt about historical realia concerning involuntary stay of Jews in Babylonia, however he adapted the story so it complies with demands of romantic opera full of emotions. The main theme of the story is a conflict between the king and his extramarital daughter Abigaille, who is caught in a love triangle with Fenena and Ismaele. Getting inspired by biblical prophets, the librettist also engaged respectable high priest Zaccaria. Moreover, the libretto contains an allegory referring to fights of the Italian nation against expansion of the Habsburg monarchy calling for freedom and unification. This moment is remarkably underlined by Verdi’s music. Famous chorus song Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate (Fly, thought, on golden wings) could be then heard during street manifestations all around Italy. Premiere of this opera at La Scala Theatre in Milan was a triumph that turned Giuseppe Verdi into one of prominent composers in Italy. An interesting fact is that very difficult character of Abigaille was for the first time performed by Verdi’s partner Giuseppina Strepponi, whom Verdi later married.

Performed in the Italian original with Czech and English subtitles