Composer

:

Giuseppe Verdi

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1842

Average_duration

:

98:52

Movement_count

:

41

Movement ....

"Nabucco" is an opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1841. The plot is set in ancient Babylon and tells the story of the Babylonian king Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II) and his struggle with the Hebrews. The opera is divided into four acts and features a libretto by Temistocle Solera. The first act opens with the Hebrews praying for deliverance from their Babylonian oppressors. Nabucco's daughter, Fenena, has fallen in love with the Hebrew Ismaele, which angers her half-sister Abigaille, who is also in love with him. Nabucco enters and declares himself a god, which angers the Hebrews and leads to his downfall. In the second act, Abigaille discovers that she is not Nabucco's true daughter but rather the daughter of a slave. She decides to take revenge on Fenena and the Hebrews by plotting to take the throne for herself. She forges a letter from Nabucco ordering the execution of all Hebrews, including Fenena. The third act sees the Hebrews being led away to captivity, including Ismaele and Fenena. Nabucco, who has been struck by lightning and believes himself to be a god, enters and demands that the Hebrews worship him. However, he is eventually brought to his senses by the prophet Zaccaria, who tells him that only the true God can save him. In the final act, Nabucco returns to Babylon and frees the Hebrews, including Fenena, who has converted to Judaism. Abigaille, who has taken the throne, is driven mad by guilt and dies. Nabucco renounces his claim to divinity and converts to Judaism, leading to a triumphant finale. "Nabucco" premiered on March 9, 1842, at La Scala in Milan. It was an immediate success and helped establish Verdi as a leading composer of his time. The opera features several memorable arias and choruses, including the famous "Va, pensiero" chorus, which has become a symbol of Italian nationalism. Overall, "Nabucco" is characterized by its grandeur, drama, and emotional intensity. It explores themes of power, love, and faith, and features a cast of complex and compelling characters. Its enduring popularity has made it one of Verdi's most beloved works and a staple of the operatic repertoire.

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