Nabucco

Nabucco is not one of Verdi's most-familiar operas, but it was his first great success and is well worth viewing. Solera's libretto is loosely (very loosely) based on the story of Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) as found in the biblical book of Daniel. Verdi's music is, of course, great 19th-century Italian opera music. Often lyrical and sometimes dramatic, the music is probably pretty accessible to someone new to opera.

This was a live production in the Roman amphitheater at Verona, Italy. The setting actually worked well. The soloists, chorus, and orchestra did a fine job. Everything came together for an commendable and enjoyable performance.

When it comes to productions of Nabucco, my favourites are the ones from 1985 and 2002. This outdoor performance is still interesting. I do think some of the costumes are rather bizarre with Ismaele especially unflattering, and the video quality ranges from quite good to unfocused.

It is worth noting for the quality of the music- Nabucco is not Verdi's best or for me anywhere near it but it was Verdi's first great opera- and how brilliantly the orchestra play and how the chorus sing, in short with great balance and clarity.

The conducting is precise with some nuances and musicality. The principal singing is generally superb. Ismaele is good if stolid, but Renato Bruson while not as refined or as nuanced as he was in the 1985 production is very compelling and velvet-voiced in the title role particularly in Dio Di Guida, and Ghena Dimitrova excels in the fiendishly difficult voice-killer role of Abaigaille.

Overall, an interesting performance if not outstanding. 8/10 Bethany Cox