Nabucco

I last watched this recording about 8 years ago when I gave it a 10/10 rating. Well, the filming of live opera has come on a bit since then and we are rather spoiled by the Met's hi-fi, high definition widescreen broadcasts so this 1985 production from La Scala is beginning to show its age.

The old-fashionedness extends not just to its technical merits but also to its production values. There is a spectacular set and there are lavish costumes but everyone just stands in a row and sings as if they are performing at your local amateur operatic society. Part of the problem is the static nature of this early Verdi opera. It is however his first, unquestionable masterpiece and it it packed with big tunes and rumpy-pumpy rhythms with guaranteed rabble-rousing quality.

The audience at La Scala were certainly roused by this production, under the energetic baton of Riccardo Muti. This is an opera where the baddies get the best music. Bruno Beccaria and Raquel Pierroti have little to do as the goody-goody Ishmaele and Fenena. Renato Bruson has some lyrical baritone passages in the title role. Best of all is Ghena Dimitrova as the evil Abigaille. This is a very demanding role with some blood-curdling lower passages and some stratospheric flights. I always feel that it is unfair that everyone lives happily ever after except for her.

Nabucco was first staged in 1842. It was Verdi's third opera and first big success. In this television recording made at La Scala, Milan, the maestro Riccardo Muti hurls himself into the overture so energetically that he reminds me of Bugs Bunny conducting 'Poet and Peasant'. Everything is wonderfully over the top. Renato Bruson (baritone) makes a superbly wretched King Nebuchadnezzar. Ghena Dimitrova (soprano) as Abigalle really impresses; her 'Salgo già' is the high spot for me. 'The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves' is in this opera too. Musically, this is great stuff. I watched a second time and liked the production better. The sound on the Warner/Kultur DVD released in 2004 seems a shade below perfect but good enough.

Nabucco is probably Verdi's first masterpiece, but a masterpiece that seems forgotten. Apart from the beautiful Va Pansiero, there was very little of the opera that I recognised beforehand. This is a shame because while the story is somewhat obsolete perhaps the music is amazing as is always the case with Verdi.

This stage production is fantastic. One or two scenes are a little static in the staging, but you can forgive that when the look of the production, music and singing more than makes up for it. Riccardo Muti conducts the orchestra with great energy and musicality and all the pivotal scenes are performed and sung brilliantly.

The setting itself is truly spectacular and I equally loved the lavish costumes. The singing and performances are first rate, with two especially that stood out. The real standout is Ghena Dimitrova, who is superb in such a demanding role(one that reportedly brought on the downfall of some who tackled it), she has a wondrous voice which she uses effortlessly even in the fiendishly difficult bits and her acting is also so good because while she is the character you hate you do feel sympathy for her at the end. That is not to exclude Renato Bruson who displays a powerful dramatic ability and a rich velvety voice to boot, altogether an equally outstanding titular performance.

All in all, fantastic production. 9/10 Bethany Cox