Nabucco or in English, Nebuchadnezzar is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed in 1841 by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera. The libretto is based on the biblical books of 2 Kings, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Daniel and the 1836 play by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu. The opera was first performed at La Scala in Milan on March 9, 1842.
Nabucco is the opera that is considered to have permanently established Verdi's reputation as a composer. He commented that "this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star."
The opera follows the plight of the Jews as they are assaulted, conquered and subsequently exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian king Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II). The historical events are used as background for a romantic and political plot. The best-known number from the opera is the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" or Va, pensiero, a chorus that is regularly given an encore in many opera houses when performed today.
Cast:
Nabucco - Matteo Manuguerra
Ismaele - Veriano Luchetti
Zaccaria - Nicolai Ghiaurov
Abigaille - Renata Scotto
Fenena - Elena Obraztsova
Grand Priest - Robert Lloyd
Ricardo Mutti - conductor
The Philharmonia Orchestra
The Ambrosian Opera Chorus
EMI - 1978