GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813-1901)

Nabucco

125:56

Dramma lirico in four parts

Libretto by Temistocle Solera after Cortesi's ballet Nabuccodonosor and Anicel-Bourgeios' and Cornu's play Nabuchodonosor

English translation by Norman Tucker and Tom Hammond

1

Overture

7:21

Part I: In Jerusalem

Opening Chorus

2

'The glory of Israel is shattered and broken'

5:23

Hebrews, Levites, Hebrew maidens

Cavatina

3

'Take heart, oh my children!'

1:19

4

'When on the shores of Egypt'

3:30

Zachariah, Chorus

5

'What a tumult'

0:52

Chorus, Ismael, Zachariah

6

'As the shadows before the sunlight'

3:00

Zachariah, Chorus

Recitative and Terzettino

7

'Fenena! Oh, my beloved!'

2:04

Ismael, Fenena

8

'Jehovah falls before us!'

2:08

Abigail, Fenena, Ismael

9

'Once I loved you'

3:39

Abigail, Ismael, Fenena

Chorus

10

'Have you seen him?'

1:36

Hebrew women, Elders, Levites, Soldiers, Zachariah

Part I Finale

11

'Long live Nabucco!'

2:05

Abigail, Chorus, Zachariah, Ismael

12

'Profaner! You shall not enter!'

1:11

Zachariah, Nabucco

13

'Tremble, you madmen'

3:42

Nabucco, Fenena, Anna, Ismael, Zachariah, Hebrews, Levites, Abigail

14

'You slaves, bow down before me!'

0:59

Nabucco, Zachariah, Ismael

15

'Now my wrath, restrained no longer'

2:57

Nabucco, Abigail, Anna, Fenena, Ismael, Zachariah, Hebrews

Part II: The Blasphemy

Scene and Aria

16

'You have betrayed me, O king accursed. . .'

3:47

17

'The sweet fire of love's enchantment'

3:28

Abigail

18

'Who approaches?'

1:16

Abigail, High Priest, Followers

19

'On the golden throne of Assyria'

2:53

Abigail, Followers, High Priest

Prayer

20

'Come, stand beside me'

2:58

21

'Through Thy servant Thou proclaimest Thy commandments'

3:11

Zachariah

Chorus of Levites

22

'Who is there? Who comes to call us'

1:02

23

'Woe to the traitor, he is accursed'

1:42

Levites, Ismael

Part II Finale

24

'Stay your anger, oh my brothers!'

0:25

Anna, Chorus of Levites, Zachariah

25

'But what means this disturbance?'

1:45

Fenena, Ismael, Zachariah, Levites, Abdullah, High Priest, Abigail, Nabucco

26

'The moment approaches of man's retribution'

3:15

Nabuco, Abigail, All

27

'Hear yur king!'

2:52

Nabucco, Fenena, High Priest, Zachariah, Soldiers

28

'Who has stolen my crown and sceptre?'

3:06

Nabucco, Zachariah, Abigail

Part III: The Prophecy

Opening Chorus

29

'Great and mighty Queen of all Assyria'

3:24

Chorus

30

'Most noble lady, mighty ruler of Assyria'

3:10

High Priest, Abigail, Nabucco, Abdullah

Duet

31

'Woman. . . Who are you?'

3:25

Nabucco, Abigail

32

'Grey-haried and feeble, behold me'

3:00

33

'Ah, that sound!'

1:00

34

'Oh, have pity on a father in his madness!'

3:47

Nabucco, Abigail

Chorus of Hebrew Slaves

35

'Speed your journey'

4:40

Hebrews

Part III Finale

36

'Why lament thee? The wailing of women'

0:52

Zachariah

37

'In the darkness I see all the future'

3:10

Zachariah, Chorus

Part IV: The Broken Idol

Prelude, Scene and Aria

38

'Am I awake or dreaming?'

5:10

Nabucco, Chorus

39

'Lord God of Judah!'

3:23

Nabucco

40

'Open to me, you shall not stay me!'

1:00

Nabuco, Abdullah, Soldiers

41

'The false, perfidious enemy'

2:05

Abdullah, Chorus, Nabucco

Funeral March and Prayer

42

'Go! The marty's crown of honour will be yours'

2:39

Zachariah

43

'Lo! The sky has opened above me!'

2:10

Fenena

Part IV Finale

44

'Long live Nabucco!'

2:37

Chorus, High Priest, Nabucco, Anna, Fenena, Ismael, Zachariah, Hebrews

45

'Lord God of Israel. . .'

2:40

46

'My strength. . . is failing. . . my death is near. . .'

3:30

Abigail, Hebrews, Zachariah

Alan Opie baritone - Nabucodonosor (Nabucco)

Leonardo Capalbo tenor - Ismael

Alastair Miles bass - Zachariah

Susan Patterson soprano - Abigail

Jane Irwin mezzo-soprano - Fenena

Dean Robinson bass - High Priest of Baal

Paul Wade tenor - Abdullah

Camilla Roberts soprano - Anna

David Parry

19-22 Septemer 2005 and 13, 14 & 16 July 2006