NABUCCO Verdi – Grand Théâtre de Genève
政治。 宗教。 ナブッコは、ネブカドネザル 2 世の改宗に関する旧約聖書の物語をヴェルディが再話したものです。 一方で、激しいヘブライ人の司祭ザッカリアは、国民を抑圧から解放するために奮闘しています。また、圧制的なバビロニア王ナブッコとその養女アビガイッレは、父の王位と妹の恋人を手に入れるためなら手段を選ばない。 ナブッコ王の野心は愛する娘と王国を奪ってしまうのか？(English) Politics. Religion. Nabucco is Verdi's retelling of the Old Testament story of the religious conversion of King Nebuchadnezzar II. On one side, the fiery Hebrew priest Zaccaria struggles to free his people from oppression. Also, Nabucco, the tyrannical Babylonian king and his adopted daughter Abigaille will stop at nothing to get her father's throne and her sister's lover. Will King Nabucco's ambition rob him of his beloved daughter and his kingdom?
NABUCCO Verdi - Grand Théâtre de Genève
Politics. Religion. Nabucco is Verdi's retelling of the Old Testament story of the religious conversion of King Nebuchadnezzar II. On one side, the fiery Hebrew priest Zaccaria struggles to free his people from oppression. On the other, Nabucco, the tyrannical Babylonian king, and his adopted daughter Abigaille will stop at nothing to claim her father's throne and her sister's lover. Will King Nabucco's ambition rob him of his beloved daughter and his kingdom?
Nabucco was an instant success at its premiere in 1842, with the famous chorus of Hebrew enslaved people taking on a political resonance that still reverberates today. The twists and turns of this early epic opera by Giuseppe Verdi are often seen as a call to arms for the national liberation struggle that would eventually lead to Italian unity. Exile and power, displaced populations and forced migrations are themes close to Christiane Jatahy's heart. The Brazilian director, filmmaker and writer, who will be awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale in 2022, breathes new life into Verdi's biblical metaphor by introducing the words of those who still stand up to tyrants and extremist ideologies around the world today. In this hall of mirrors, in which chorus and audience are reflected, maestro Antonino Fogliani leads the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva's new production of Verdi's masterpiece, together with a cast of excellent bel canto singers, including Riccardo Zanellato, Nicola Alaimo and Saioa Hernández. Here is an epic story to help us reflect on our world today.
Opera dates
[Composition]
Giuseppe Verdi (1841-1842)
[First performance]
9 March 1842 Milan, La Scala
[libretto]
Temistocle Solera (Italian)
Librettist Temistocle Solera
Based on: The play by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu and the ballet adaptation by Antonio Cortese
[original]
"The Old Testament"
[Playtime]
Part 1 40 minutes
Part 2 30 minutes
Part 3 30 minutes
Part 4 30 minutes
Total approx. 2 hours 10 minutes
Synopsis
[Time and place]
Jerusalem and Babylon, 6th century BC
[Characters]
Nabucco (Br): King of Babylon
Abigaille (S): presumably Nabucco's elder daughter
Fenena (F): Nabucco's daughter
Ismaele (T): Nephew of Zedekiah, King of Jerusalem
Zaccaria (bass): High Priest of the Jews
[Part 1]
The time is the 6th century BC. The stage is inside the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
Babylon King Nabucco invades the land of Jews.
However, the high priest of the Jewish faith, Zaccaria, encouraged the people of Jesus, saying, "We're taking Nabucco's second daughter, Fenena, hostage."
King Jesus' nephew Ismaele, who was once rescued by Fenena, secretly loves his second daughter Fenena.
Finally, Nabucco stepped into the temple and declared his victory.
Zaccaria then points a dagger at Fenena.
But Ismaele cuts it off.
Nabucco set fire to the temple and took the Jews as captives back to his homeland, Babylonia.
[Part 2]
The stage is the royal palace of Babylon, the city of Babylon.
Nabucco's eldest daughter, Abigaille, knows she is the daughter of an enslaved person.
When he learns that Nabucco will hand over the throne to her second daughter, Fenena, not her eldest daughter, Abigaille, he becomes ambitious to usurp her throne.
Fenena, on the other hand, had converted to the Jewish faith out of her love for Ismaele, and she was going to live as a Jewess for him.
Angry at his conversion, his father Nabucco exclaimed, "I am the King of the Jews, and I am the God because I have conquered them."
As punishment, he was struck by lightning and fainted.
[Part 3]
Her eldest daughter Abigaille usurped her throne while Nabucco fainted.
She attempts to execute the Jews and her younger daughter Fenena.
The people of Jesus, forced into forced labour, sang in memory of their hometown, Jerusalem.
[Part 4]
Nabucco comes to his senses and asks the God of Jesus for forgiveness.
And he thought to prevent the execution of Fenena and the Jews.
Nabucco took up his sword and led his soldiers to free them and tell them to return to their homeland.
Meanwhile, Abigaille, whose ambitions have been crushed, commits suicide by taking poison.
Nabucco was hailed as a king who served the God of Jesus.
Explanation (point)
[1] Chorus "Go my thoughts, ride on the golden wings".
The most famous piece in this opera is the chorus "Go, my thoughts, on golden wings", sung by the Jews forced to work in the third part, thinking of their hometown. This moving song is considered the second national anthem of Italy.
[2] The Babylonian captivity
The story is based on the Old Testament story of the "Babylonian Captivity". Nebuchadnezzar II (Nabucco in the opera), who had conquered the Kingdom of Judah, forcibly took about 50,000 people to Babylon. Verdi's music is suited to the play's content and has a majestic ending like an oratorio.
[3] Casting a baritone in the lead role
Usually, the leading roles in opera are sung by sopranos and tenors, but in this opera, Nabucco, who is the title character, is sung by a baritone. Moreover, it must be a dramatic baritone, which requires the most dramatic expression. The opera Nabucco was Verdi's third breakthrough. After that, Verdi composed many operas with the baritone as the main character.
NABUCCO Verdi – Grand Théâtre de Genève
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP5Nb_OBs2k
Nabucco Opera by Giuseppe Verdi - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabucco
Roles:
Nabucco, King of Babylon
Abigaille, supposedly his elder daughter
Fenena, his daughter
Ismaele, nephew of Zedekiah, the King of Jerusalem
Zaccaria, high priest of the Jews
Anna, Zaccaria's sister
Abdallo, a Babylonian soldier
High priest of Bel
Librettist:Temistocle Solera
Language: Italian
Premiere: 9 March 1842 La Scala, Milan
Nabucco
https://opera-synopsis.sakura.ne.jp/nabucco.html
Grand Théâtre de Geneva, Verdi's "Nabucco" with the choir in power
The opera Nabucco explained in 5 minutes | Grand Théâtre de Genève
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-PXk97DUR0
As we all know, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, wrote that in four letters: T.H.A.T.
It takes 7 - N.A.B.U.C.C.O. - to make in Italian the name of Nabû-kudurrī-uṣur rhymable, second of the word, who lived between 642 and 562 BC, and who was king not only of Babylon but also of Sumer and Akkad, as well as of the whole universe, if we are to believe the inscription on the Gate of Ishtar preserved in Berlin.
In 589 BC, the king of Judah, Zedekiah, refused to pay tribute to Nebuchadnezzar. The latter retaliated by sacking and destroying the capital and holy place of the Jewish people - Jerusalem - and taking the entire Jewish population with him into captivity in Babylon. This exile lasted some fifty years and two generations and ended when the Babylonian Empire fell into the hands of the Persian Emperor Cyrus, who freed the Jews and allowed them to return home.
But the Jewish people were forever marked by this captivity. Psalm 137 in the Bible describes the pain of forced migration and separation: 'By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, and wept when we remembered Zion. Upon the poplars, amid her, we hung up our harps. For there, our captors demanded songs and our tormentor's joy: "Sing us some of the pieces of Zion.
"How could we sing the songs of the Lord in a foreign land?' Giuseppe Verdi was 29 years old, and Italy as a unified state existed only in the hearts of patriots who opposed its division into various kingdoms and duchies, often, as in the case of Milan, where Verdi was to produce his Nabucco under foreign domination, Austrian in this case.
Nabucco lays siege to Jerusalem in the opera, but the Israelites have captured Fenena, his daughter and heiress. The Jewish high priest Zaccaria threatens to put Fenena to death, but Ismaele, in love with her, disarms Zaccaria and entrusts Fenena to Nabucco's protection. Meanwhile, Fenena's sister, the evil Abigaille, learns that she is not Nabucco's daughter but the daughter of an enslaved person.
In revenge, she pretends that Nabucco is dead and claims his throne. Just as Abigaille is about to be crowned, Nabucco appears and orders the death of all the Israelites. But Fenella has joined them and must also be put to death. Nabucco demands that she obey him: he is not only their king but also their God.
For this blasphemy, Nabucco is struck by lightning and driven mad. He only regains his sanity, crown and happiness by asking the gods of the Israelites for mercy. Nabucco was a triumph from the start. If Act 1 had been widely applauded, the audience would have gone wild in Act 3, Scene 2, with the hearts of the Hebrew enslaved people yearning for their lost homeland or their dream homeland, like Italy for Verdi.
'Va, Pensiero' instantly became the unofficial national anthem of a unified Italy. As she often does in her interpretations of the classics, Brazilian director, filmmaker, and author Christiane Jatahy will, in her Nabucco, give a voice to those in the four corners of the world who are still resisting tyrants and extremism.
For her, telling the story also means asking how to change the world we live in today.
Add)
//New words in opera//
1. Fervent: Having or displaying a passionate intensity.
Example: "She has a fervent desire to change the world."
2. Almighty God: A term used to refer to God in many monotheistic religions, signifying that God is all-powerful.
Example: "Almighty God, we seek your guidance and blessings."
3. Assyrian ranks: This phrase refers to the hierarchical structure or order of the ancient Assyrian society or military.
Example: "The Assyrian ranks were known for their discipline and organization."
4. Foe: An enemy or opponent.
Example: "He had to face his greatest foe in the final match."
5. Perished: Died, especially violently or suddenly.
Example: "Many have perished in the harsh desert conditions."
6. Eternal aid: Help or assistance that is everlasting or unending.
Example: "He sought eternal aid from the divine powers."
7. Fury: Wild or violent anger.
Example: "He could hardly contain his fury when he heard the news."
8. Defy: Openly resist or refuse to obey.
Example: "She defied the orders of her superiors."
9. Presumption: An idea that is taken to be confirmed based on probability.
Example: "His presumption of guilt was based on circumstantial evidence."
10. Ruins: The remains of a typically old building that has suffered much damage or disintegration.
Example: "The ancient ruins tell a story of a once thriving civilization."
11. Descend: Move or fall downwards.
Example: "The sun began to descend below the horizon."
12. Raging: Showing violent, uncontrollable anger.
Example: "A raging storm swept over the town."
13. Sacred Duty: A responsibility or task regarded with great respect and reverence.
Example: "It is our sacred duty to protect the environment."
14. Sacrilege: Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.
Example: "Stealing from the temple was considered a sacrilege."
15. Tomb: A large vault, typically underground, for burying the dead.
Example: "The ancient tomb was discovered in the archaeological excavation."
16. Surrender: Cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.
Example: "The army had no choice but to surrender."
17. Implore: Beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
Example: "He implored her to change her mind."
18. Condemn: Express complete disapproval of; censure.
Example: "The international community widely condemned the act."
19. Weeping: The action of crying with tears.
Example: "She was weeping for her lost friend."
20. Sword: A weapon with a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard, used for thrusting or striking and now typically worn as part of ceremonial dress.
Example: "The knight drew his sword and charged into battle."
21. Defend: Resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger.
Example: "He vowed to defend his country."
22. Whirlwind: A column of air rushing around and around in a cylindrical or funnel shape.
Example: "The whirlwind swept across the plains."
23. Arrogance: The quality of being overly proud, self-important, or thinking you are better than others.
Example: "His arrogance was apparent in how he dismissed others' opinions."
24. Profane: Showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things, particularly religious beliefs or practices.
Example: "The profane graffiti on the church wall was quickly removed."
25. Dagger: A short knife with a pointed and edged blade used as a weapon.
Example: "He pulled out a dagger from his cloak."
26. Victim to my fury: A person who suffers from someone else's intense anger or wrath.
Example: "He became a victim to my fury when he betrayed me."
27. Lamentations: The passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping.
Example: "The funeral was filled with lamentations for the departed."
28. Disputes: Arguments or disagreements.
Example: "The two countries have had long-standing disputes over the border."
29. Cruel chains: A metaphorical term for oppressive restrictions or burdens.
Example: "He felt trapped in the cruel chains of his past."
30. Defeated slaves: Individuals who have been enslaved and overcome, often used metaphorically to describe a state of complete subjugation or defeat.
Example: "The defeated slaves of the oppressive regime longed for freedom."
31. Plunder: Steal goods from (a place or person), typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder.
Example: "The invaders plundered the village."
32. Traitor: A person who betrays a friend, country, principal, etc.
Example: "He was branded a traitor when he switched sides during the war."
33. Fatal letter: A letter or message that brings about disastrous consequences.
Example: "The fatal letter revealed the truth about his past."
34. Entrust: Assign the responsibility for doing something to (someone).
Example: "I entrusted him with organizing the event."
35. Exterminate: Destroy completely.
Example: "The plan was to exterminate the pests in the field."Folly:
36. Lack of good sense; foolishness.
Example: "It is sheer folly to invest all your money in one place."
37. Enchantment: A feeling of great pleasure; delight.
Example: "The enchantment of the beautiful sunset was undeniable."
38. Accursed rabble: A group considered under or deserving of a curse.
Example: "The accursed rabble were blamed for the chaos in the city."
39. Levite: A member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, especially of that part of it which provided assistants to the priests in the worship in the Jewish temple.
Example: "The Levite was responsible for maintaining the holy objects in the temple."
40. Holy tablets: Refers to the tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God in the Bible.
Example: "The holy tablets were kept in the Ark of the Covenant."
41. Trairess: A female traitor, a woman who betrays someone or something, such as a friend, cause, or principle.
Example: "She was labelled a traitress when she revealed their secrets to the enemy."
42. Prophets: Individuals believed to have been contacted by the divine or the supernatural to deliver specific messages or teachings.
Example: "The prophets of the Old Testament have played a significant role in religious teachings."
43. Fulminated: Expressed vehement protest; exploded violently or flashed like lightning.
Example: "The leader fulminated against the injustices of the system."
44. Psalms: A book of the Bible containing a collection of religious verses sung or recited in both Jewish and Christian worship. Many are traditionally ascribed to King David.
Example: "The choir sang psalms in the church."
45. Shattered idols: Broken or destroyed objects of worship, often used metaphorically to refer to the destruction of previously held beliefs or ideals.
Example: "The shattered idols represented the old regime's fall."
46. Thy law shall Arise A phrase that suggests establishing or raising a divine or holy law.
Example: "In the new world, thy law shall arise and guide us."
45. Tumult: A loud, confused noise, mainly caused by many people.
Example: "The tumult of the crowd could be heard from miles away."
46. Flee: Run away from a place or situation of danger.
Example: "When the fire broke out, everyone tried to flee."
47. Acclaim: Praise enthusiastically and publicly.
Example: "The novel has been acclaimed as a literary masterpiece."
48. Rebels: People who rise in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or leader.
Example: "The rebels were determined to overthrow the dictatorship."
49. Calamity: A disaster causing significant and often sudden damage or distress.
Example: "The earthquake was a calamity that affected thousands of people."
50. Wrath approaches A phrase that suggests the impending arrival of severe anger or resentment, often in a religious or moral context.
Example: "Beware, for the wrath approaches those who do wrong."
51. Doom: Death, destruction, or some other terrible fate.
Example: "The prophecy foretold of doom for the kingdom."
52. Worship: The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.
Example: "People gathered in the church for worship."
53. Insane pride: An excessively high or inflated sense of one's worth or importance, often considered irrational or unreasonable.
Example: "His insane pride led him to believe he could do no wrong."
54. Throne: The ceremonial chair for a sovereign, bishop, or similar figure.
Example: "The king sat on his throne, overseeing his subjects."
55. Perish: Suffer death, typically in a violent, sudden, or untimely way.
Example: "Many perish in the harsh conditions of the desert."
56. Embraced: Accepted or supported willingly and enthusiastically.
Example: "She embraced the new opportunities that came her way."
57. Avenging heaven: A phrase that refers to divine retribution or justice.
Example: "The wrongdoers will face the wrath of the avenging heaven."
58. Sceptre: An ornamented staff carried by rulers. Sceptre: A decorated team of rulers take on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty.
Example: "The queen held the sceptre as a symbol of her authority."
59. Spectre: A ghost or something widely feared as a possible unpleasant or dangerous occurrence.
Example: "The spectre of war loomed over the region."
60. Eclipsed: Obscured, blocked from view.
Example: "Those of his successor eclipsed his achievements."
61. Dares: Has enough courage or confidence to do something; challenge or provoke (someone) into doing something.
Example: "He dares to speak out against injustice."
62. Council chamber: A room where a council meets, such as a local government body or an advisory board.
Example: "The decision was made in the council chamber."
63. Hymns: A religious song or poem, typically of praise to God or a god.
Example: "The congregation sang hymns during the service."
64. Seized with dismay: Suddenly feeling a complete loss of courage because of fear or worry.
Example: "He was dismayed when he saw the extent of the damage."
65. Obstacle: A thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.
Example: "Lack of funding is a major obstacle to the project's completion."
66. Vain: Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.
Example: "His vain attitude was off-putting to many."
67. Once-feared sword: A sword that was once feared or respected, often used metaphorically to refer to a person or thing that has lost its power or influence.
Example: "The once-feared sword now hangs as a decoration on the wall."
68. Pitiful: Deserving or arousing pity.
Example: "The pitiful sight of the starving children moved us to tears."
69. Vile slaves feet: A phrase that suggests the lowest or most despised position, often used metaphorically to describe a state of complete subjugation or humiliation.
Example: "He was reduced to the vile slave's feet after his defeat."
70. Knell: The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral.
Example: "The knell tolled for the departed soul."
71. Solely for you: Exclusively or only for you.
Example: "This gift is solely for you."
72. Wits: The ability to think quickly and intelligently; mental sharpness and inventiveness.
Example: "She relied on her wits to solve the problem."
73. Deprive: Deny (a person or place) the possession or use of something.
Example: "The city was deprived of its water supply during the drought."
74. Mantle: A role or responsibility passed from one person to another.
Example: "He took up the mantle of leadership after his father's retirement."
75. Soar away: To fly or rise high in the air.
Example: "The eagle spread its wings to soar away into the sky."
76. Downfallen towers: Towers that have fallen or collapsed, often used metaphorically to refer to the fall or decline of a powerful entity or institution.
Example: "The downfallen towers symbolised the fallen empire."
77. Wretched: In a very unhappy or unfortunate state.
Example: "He felt wretched after losing his job."
78. Ill-fated: Destined to fail or have bad luck.
Example: "The ill-fated expedition resulted in the loss of many lives."
79. Prophet: A person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God.
Example: "The prophet foretold the coming of a great storm."
80. Willow branches: The branches of a willow tree are often associated with sadness or mourning.
Example: "The willow branches swayed gently in the wind."
81. Rekindle, Relight (a fire); revive (something lost).
Example: "They tried to rekindle their lost love."
82. Lamentation: The passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping.
Example: "The lamentation of the mourners filled the room."
83. Timorous women: Women showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence.
Example: "The timorous women huddled together in the corner."
84. Affliction: Something that causes pain or suffering.
Example: "Poverty is a major affliction in many parts of the world."
85. Gloom: Partial or total darkness; a state of depression or despair.
Example: "He was in a state of gloom after losing his job."
86. Wrath: Extreme anger.
Example: "He feared his father's wrath when he broke the window."
87. Treacherous: Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.
Example: "The treacherous spy was caught and punished."
88. Hyenas: Doglike African mammals with forelimbs longer than the hind limbs and an erect mane, noted for their powerful jaws and shrill laugh-like vocalisation.
Example: "The hyenas scavenged the remains of the kill."
89. Mortal silence: A profound silence, often associated with death or the absence of life.
Example: "A mortal silence fell over the crowd as they awaited the verdict."
90. Spread abroad: To distribute or disseminate widely.
Example: "The news of his victory spread abroad."
91. Lament: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
Example: "His lament for his lost love moved everyone to tears."
92. Blazes: A very large or fiercely burning fire.
Example: "The blazes from the wildfire could be seen from miles away."
93. Fetters: A chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles.
Example: "He was released from his fetters after the judge declared him not guilty."
94. Hunted beast: An animal pursued or hunted, often used metaphorically to describe a person who is persistently followed or harassed.
Example: "He felt like a hunted beast with his enemies constantly after him."
95. Valiant: Possessing or showing courage or determination.
Example: "The valiant soldier fought bravely against the enemy."
96. Escorted: Accompanied by someone to ensure one reaches a place safely.
Example: "She was escorted to her car by security."
97. Deliver me: A phrase often used in religious contexts to ask for rescue.
Example: "In his prayer, he pleaded, 'Deliver me from evil.'"
98. Anguish: Severe mental or physical pain or suffering.
Example: "She cried out in anguish as the pain intensified."
99. Renounce: Formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, correct, or possession).
Example: "He renounced his claim to the throne."
100. Omnipotent God: A term used to refer to God as all-powerful and able to do anything.
Example: "Christians believe in an omnipotent God who can perform miracles."
101. Mocked: Teased or laughed at scornfully or contemptuously.
Example: "He was mocked for his unconventional ideas."
102. Firmament: The heavens or the sky, especially when regarded as tangible.
Example: "He looked up at the stars in the firmament."
103. Eternal joys: Endless happiness or pleasure, often used in religious contexts to refer to the satisfaction of heaven or paradise.
Example: "He believed that eternal joys awaited him in the afterlife."
104. The splendour of the stars: The impressive beauty of the stars.
Example: "He was captivated by the splendour of the stars in the night sky."
105. Enfolds me: Surrounds or envelops me.
Example: "The warmth of the blanket enfolds me."
106. Grind: Reduce (something) to small particles or powder by crushing it.
Example: "He used the machine to grind the coffee beans."
107. Divine miracle: An extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency.
Example: "The sudden recovery of the sick man was considered a divine miracle."
108. Mighty: Possessing tremendous and impressive power or strength due to size.
Example: "All feared the mighty warrior."
109. Kneel: Be in or assume a position in which the body is supported by a knee on the ground.
Example: "He had to kneel to tie his shoelaces."
110. Immense Jehovah: A term used to refer to God in the Old Testament, often associated with God as vast and all-encompassing.
Example: "The believers prayed to the immense Jehovah for guidance."
111. Unleash a thunderbolt: To release or throw something with great force, often metaphorically referring to a sudden and decisive action or event.
Example: "The merger announcement unleashed a thunderbolt in the business world."
112. Wretched girl: A girl who is in a very unhappy or unfortunate state.
Example: "The wretched girl was left homeless after the disaster."
113. Dying: At the point of death.
Example: "The dying man made one last request."