Giuseppe Verdi: Nabucco

In his third opera, “Nabucco”, Verdi created great emotions such as love, jealousy, hate and madness with impressive precision and rousing musical power. This work moves between historical drama and family tragedy, and is unique in its large-scale ensemble scenes and enormous choirs. With the prisoners’ choir “Va pensiero” and its disarming simplicity, Verdi created a hit that is still valid today and has become the second national anthem of the Italians.

Andreas Homoki, director of the Opernhaus Zürich, is well-versed in staging Verdi and tells the gripping story of the rivalry between the Babylonian half-brothers Fenena and Abigaille, and of the madness and healing of the Babylonian king Nabucco. Michael Volle celebrated his role debut as megalomaniac Nabucco. Anna Smirnova is the power-hungry king’s daughter Abigaille. Georg Zeppenfeld is Zaccaria. Veronica Simeoni and Benjamin Bernheim, also debuting, are the lovers Fenena and Ismaele. Fabio Luisi, the General Music Director, stands at the podium of the Philharmonia Zürich.

Michael Volle Nabucco
Benjamin Bernheim Ismaele
Georg Zeppenfeld Zaccaria
Anna Smirnova Abigaille
Veronica Simeoni Fenena
Stanislav Vorobyov The High Priest of Baal
Omer Kobiljak Abdallo
Ania Jeruc Anna

Philharmonia Zürich
Chor der Oper Zürich
Chorzuzüger & Zusatzchor des Opernhauses Zürich

Fabio Luisi musical direction
Andreas Homoki stage direction
Wolfgang Gussmann stage design
Wolfgang Gussmann, Susana Mendoza costume design
Franck Evin lighting design
Fabio Dietsche dramaturgy
Janko Kastelic chorus master

A production of Accentus Music in co-production with NHK and SWR, in cooperation with Arte and Opernhaus Zürich.