Language: Italian
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Nabucco (initial title: Nebuchadnezzar) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi on a libretto by Temistocle Solera, taken from Nebuchadnezzar (1836), a drama by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu and premiered on March 9, 1842 at La Scala from Milan. It evokes the biblical episode of the slavery of the Jews in Babylon symbolized by the choir of the third part, the Va, pensiero of the Hebrews with whom the Milanese population then identified themselves under Austrian occupation.

Nabucco is the opera that is considered to have permanently established Verdi's reputation as a composer. He commented that "this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star."

The opera follows the plight of the Jews as they are assaulted, conquered and subsequently exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian king Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II). The historical events are used as background for a romantic and political plot. The best-known number from the opera is the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" ("Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate" / "Fly, thought, on golden wings"), a chorus that is regularly given an encore in many opera houses when performed today.

Director: Daniel Oren (Musical Director), Arnaud Bernard (Direction & Costumes)
Cast: Orchestra and Choir of Arena di Verona, George Gagnidze (Nabucco), Rubens Pelizzari (Ismaele), Rafal Siwek (Zaccaria), Susanna Branchini (Abigaille), Nino Surguladze (Fenena), Elena Borin (Anna), Paolo Antognetti (Abdallo), Nicolò Ceriani (Gran Sacerdote di Belo)