Verdi's Nabucco (PDF)

Verdi's early opera Nabucco (Nabucodonosor), about Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, was one of the most successful operas of the nineteenth century. The opera set him on the journey which culminated years later with Otello and Falstaff.
The chorus, Va pensiero, depicting the Hebrews 'by the waters of Babylon' yearning for freedom, became iconic during the 19th century reunification of Italy. Today it is a famous best-tune.
Verdi used a libretto rejected by Otto Nicolai, composer of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Nabucco was premièred in Milan in March, 1842. The prima donna was Giuseppina Strepponi, who later became Verdi's mistress and second wife.
When Nabucco attacks Jerusalem, success goes to his head: he declares himself a god, a blasphemy. He is struck by lightening and goes mad. His daughter Fenena joins the Hebrew cause. Her lover has jilted Abigaille, her elder sister, who is now intent on revenge. With the support of the priests, Abigaille seizes throne. She also destroys the evidence that she is not actually Nabucco's daughter. Fenena is about to be sacrificed with the Hebrews when the king rushes in, having recovered his wits. He saves her, and releases the Hebrews. Abigaille poisons herself.
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