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Overview

Synopsis

In Verdi's retelling of the Old Testament stories of King Nebuchadnezzar II's religious conversion, King Nabucco's hubris and ambition almost result in him losing his beloved daughter as well as his kingdom.

With the Assyrian army surrounding Jerusalem, the Israelites fear that their city will be taken. However, they have captured Fenena, Nabucco's daughter and heir, and they know he would not risk her life. They hope to bargain with Nabucco to leave their city in exchange for his daughter's safe return.Nabucco will not be so easily defeated, and ferociously threatens the Israelites. In return, Zaccaria threatens to kill Fenena, but Ismaele, in love with Fenena, disarms Zaccaria and releases Fenena into Nabucco's protection. Nabucco calls for his army to destroy the temple.

Meanwhile, Nabucco's other daughter, Abigaille, has found a document revealing she is not Nabucco's daughter, but the daughter of a slave. A jealous and ambitious woman, Abigaille swears vengeance against Nabucco and Fenena, and determines to put herself on the throne. She spreads a rumor that Nabucco has died in battle, but at the moment she is about to be crowned, Nabucco appears. He furiously proclaims death to all the Hebrews. Only then does Fenena reveal the truth; she is a Hebrew, and will die with them. Nabucco cannot believe this betrayal, and demands she obeys him; he is not just king, he is their god.

For this blasphemy, Nabucco is struck with a thunderbolt and driven mad. Abigaille steals the crown from him, and rules in his place. Nabucco only finds his way back to sanity by asking for mercy from the god of the Israelites. His religious conversion enables him to save Fenena from being executed at Abigaille's order.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Old Testament books - 2 Kings, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Daniel
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
4
First Produced
1842
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Spectacle, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Jerusalem, Babylon, Assyria, Biblical Times, 587 B.C.
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
Professional Opera, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Nabucco

Lead

Male

Baritone

Abigaille

Lead

Female

Soprano

Fenena

Lead

Female

Soprano

Ismaele

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Zaccaria

Supporting

Male

Bass

Anna

Featured

Female

Soprano

Abdallo

Featured

Male

Tenor

High Priest of Baal

Featured

Male

Bass

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Overture

Act I

Act II

Act III

  • Chorus: È l’Assiria una regina (Chorus)
  • Recitativo: Eccelsa donna (Grand Priest, Abigaille, Nabucco)
  • Duet: Donna, chi sei? (Abigaille, Nacbucco)
  • Chorus of Hebrew Slaves: Va, pensiero (Chorus)
  • Prophecy and Finale: Oh chi piange? (Zaccaria, Chorus)

Act IV

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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