Excerpts from Verdi's "Nabucco." An innovative new production of this early masterwork, designed to bring you closer to the music than ever before, comes to Seattle Opera in August 2015. An enslaved nation, a vicious, malevolent bastard, a pair of star-crossed lovers, and a Middle Eastern tyrant gone mad with power sing the powerful music of this magnficent epic. 

NABUCCO

In Act 2 of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Consul,” the magician Nika Magadoff (Alex Mansoori) hypnotizes everyone in the consulate and makes them dance: 
Oh, what a lovely ballroom this is...
the floor shines with precious marble.
Look how the light falls bright and clear 
from twenty crystal chandeliers.
Look at the crimson walls, hung with golden mirrors. 
Ah, listen:  the music has begun.
Ah! How you'd love to dance with your loved one...
But where is he? But where is she?
There, there he is!  He's bowing to you.
Look, there she is...bow to her.
What are you waiting for?
The floor is empty, the music sweet...
the dance is on.
Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Elise Bakketun, photo
Seattle Opera, The Consul, Menotti, Carlo Montanaro, Alex Mansoori


THE CONSUL: ALEX MANSOORI as Nika Magadoff

In Act Two of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE the pirates plan to storm Major-General Stanley’s house in the middle of the night, unaware that a crowd of policemen, relentlessly imitating trumpets to embolden themselves, are waiting to ambush and arrest them. After failing to be as quiet as they claim, the pirates sing one of Sullivan’s most beloved tunes—actually, Sullivan’s copyright piracy of Verdi’s “Anvil Chorus” from IL TROVATORE. Francesco Milioto conducted the chorus & orchestra of The Atlanta Opera in Atlanta in 2021. Music provided by The Atlanta Opera Film Studio.

PIRATES: With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal; 
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.
No sound at all,
We never speak a word, 
A fly’s foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard.
POLICE: (Tarantara, tarantara!)
PIRATES: So stealthily the pirate creeps,
While all the household soundly sleeps. 
Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation; 
Take another station;
Let’s vary piracee 
With a little burglaree!

PIRATES: “With cat-like tread”

The barbarians are coming! The first scene of “Nabucco” begins with a powerful chorus, sung by the people of Judah, gathered in the Temple in Jerusalem. They are beside themselves with terror over the attacking Assyrian armies, led by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Carlo Montanaro conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Philip Newton.

Terror in the Temple from "Nabucco"

American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn makes his Seattle Opera debut as Zaccaria, High Priest of the Hebrews in “Nabucco.” In the cabaletta of his aria, he reassures his terrified people that God will support them:
“As night flees the dawn, as dust before the wind,
the false god Baal will vanish in the final test.
Come down and fight with us, mighty God of Abraham.
Kindle in thy servants a flame that will vanquish the enemy.”
Carlo Montanaro conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Philip Newton.

CHRISTIAN VAN HORN as Zaccaria

Mary Elizabeth Williams sings the fearsome Abigaille in Seattle Opera’s “Nabucco.” When she first enters, this warrior woman is angered to find the man she loves, Ismaele, romancing her sister, Fenena. She mocks Ismaele and tells him, in a ringing phrase, “The lightning-bolt of my vengeance is poised and ready to smite you!” Carlo Montanaro conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Elise Bakketun.


MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS as Abigaille

Gordon Hawkins as Nabucco and Mary Elizabeth Williams as Abigaille sing the duet from Act 3 of “Nabucco.” On his knees, the mad old king implores his cruel daughter to have pity, but she is deaf to his entreaties. Carlo Montanaro conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Philip Newton.

Father-Daughter Duet from "Nabucco"

Christian Van Horn makes his Seattle Opera debut as Zaccaria, High Priest of the Hebrews in “Nabucco.” Following the yearning and despair of the famous chorus, “Va, pensiero,” this high priest fires up his people with a prophecy worthy of this Old Testament story:
ZACCARIA: 
I look into the darkness of the future and I see our chains broken, rotting away. 
The fury of the lion of Judah falls upon this hateful desert. 
On the mountains of bones and skulls behold the hyenas and serpents. 
A feeble breeze stirs the dust--but all is deathly silence.
And as dusk falls, the owl lets loose its sad lament...
Not a stone remains to tell travelers where Babylon once towered in its pride!
CHORUS: The fire of prophecy burns in him--he speaks with the voice of the Lord.
ZACCARIA: Yes, these chains will not endure...the courage of Judah is awakened!
Carlo Montanaro conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Philip Newton.

CHRISTIAN VAN HORN sings the Prophecy from “Nabucco”

Join me as I sit down with Emily Cabiness, librarian and archivist for the Seattle Opera. We discuss the art of opera, through both process and product. How does it stay relevant in contemporary life? What kind of collaborative work does it take to put on a production? What does a librarian do for an opera company? How does music help us express the otherwise ineffable? 

A funny, engaging, and emotional chat with a good friend of the show.

(Disclaimer: Emily participated in this discussion outside of her official duties with the Seattle Opera. As such, all of her opinions are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seattle Opera or any affiliated staff or artists!)

For more information about the Seattle Opera, including upcoming shows and events, visit https://www.seattleopera.org/ 

For those interested in listening to Emily’s scene selections further, please see the recorded versions below:

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro - “Pace Pace Mio Dolce Tesoro” - https://open.spotify.com/track/3EQrqvdRO7VMWSPKSlCdSe

Wager’s The Valkyrie - “War Es So Schmählich”
https://open.spotify.com/track/68CZHU1J4F89quxGwQOQGn

All clips and music used under Creative Commons and Fair Use policies.

Ping: Opera With Emily

One of Verdi’s most beloved melodies, the famous chorus “Va, pensiero” from “Nabucco” serves as a sort of unofficial national anthem in Italy. In the opera the Hebrews, languishing in captivity in Babylon, remember their beloved homeland in Zion with longing and seek the strength to endure their suffering and exile. Carlo Montanaro conducted the chorus and orchestra of Seattle Opera on opening night of the Seattle premiere of "Nabucco," August 8, 2015. Photo by Philip Newton.


“Va, pensiero” - from NABUCCO

Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera is a leading American opera company. The company presents the classics of the European repertoire as well as new works of American opera. Frequent productions of Wagner's RING, beginning in 1975, established the company's worldwide reputation. Seattle Opera usually presents five opera productions each year.

CHRISTIAN VAN HORN as Zaccaria

Seattle Opera

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