Washington National Opera: Nabucco
Witness the epic struggle of a royal family at odds with their nation and each other, battling for power among the lost wonders of the world in Verdi's powerful opera about the defeat, enslavement, and exile of the ancient Babylonian Jews.
- Apr. 28 - May 21, 2012
- Opera House
- 2 hours, 45 minutes
- $25.00 - $300.00
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About
Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco
Libretto by Temistocle Solera
Washington, D.C. Premiere and New Production
Co-production with Minnesota Opera & Opera Company of Philadelphia
An epic struggle for freedom...and the soul of a nation.
For the first time in the company's 56 years, WNO brings Nabucco, the opera that made Verdi famous, to the Opera House stage.
In a stunning new production by Thaddeus Strassberger, the epic struggle of the Jews suppressed by Babylon's King Nabucco is echoed in Italy's nationalist conflict with Austria at the time Verdi created the opera. This landmark work is filled with grand and gorgeous music, including one of opera's most famous choruses, "Va pensiero," adopted as Italy's unofficial national anthem.
WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin conducts, and Franco Vassallo and Csilla Boross make their company debuts as Nabucco and Abigaille.
Performed in Italian with English supertitles. Supertitles may not be visible from the rear of the orchestra.
The performance runs approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes, with two intermissions.
Opera Insight: Watch a free preview of Massenet's Werther and Verdi's Nabucco featuring members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.
O-Zone Lecture: Free pre-performance lecture in the Opera House - Thu., May 10 at 6:15 p.m. Patrons must present a ticket or stub from any performance of this production.
Artist Q&A's follow the performances on: Sun., May 13 and Mon., May 21.
Series O Lecture: Free pre-performance lecture in the Opera House especially designed for Generation O members and open to all Nabucco ticket holders - Fri., May 18 at 6:15 p.m. Patrons must present a ticket or stub from any performance of this production.
Libretto by Temistocle Solera
Washington, D.C. Premiere and New Production
Co-production with Minnesota Opera & Opera Company of Philadelphia
An epic struggle for freedom...and the soul of a nation.
For the first time in the company's 56 years, WNO brings Nabucco, the opera that made Verdi famous, to the Opera House stage.
In a stunning new production by Thaddeus Strassberger, the epic struggle of the Jews suppressed by Babylon's King Nabucco is echoed in Italy's nationalist conflict with Austria at the time Verdi created the opera. This landmark work is filled with grand and gorgeous music, including one of opera's most famous choruses, "Va pensiero," adopted as Italy's unofficial national anthem.
WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin conducts, and Franco Vassallo and Csilla Boross make their company debuts as Nabucco and Abigaille.
Performed in Italian with English supertitles. Supertitles may not be visible from the rear of the orchestra.
The performance runs approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes, with two intermissions.
Opera Insight: Watch a free preview of Massenet's Werther and Verdi's Nabucco featuring members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.
O-Zone Lecture: Free pre-performance lecture in the Opera House - Thu., May 10 at 6:15 p.m. Patrons must present a ticket or stub from any performance of this production.
Artist Q&A's follow the performances on: Sun., May 13 and Mon., May 21.
Series O Lecture: Free pre-performance lecture in the Opera House especially designed for Generation O members and open to all Nabucco ticket holders - Fri., May 18 at 6:15 p.m. Patrons must present a ticket or stub from any performance of this production.
Artists
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Franco Vassallo, Nabucco
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Leo An, Nabucco (May 15 only)
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Csilla Boross, Abigaille
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Burak Bilgili, Zaccaria
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Sean Panikkar, Ismaele
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Géraldine Chauvet, Fenena
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Soloman Howard, High Priest of Baal
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María Eugenia Antúnez, Anna
-
Jeffrey Gwaltney, Abdallo
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Philippe Auguin, conductor
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Thaddeus Strassberger, director & set design
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Mattie Ullrich, costume design
-
Diane Coburn Bruning, choreography
Images
Watch and Listen
Making of Opera: Nabucco - Costume Design
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
Making of Opera: Nabucco - Costume Shop
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
Making of Opera: Nabucco - Rehearsal Process
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
Making of Opera: Nabucco - Set Construction
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
Making of Opera: Nabucco - Set Design
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
Making of Opera: Nabucco - Va Pensiero
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
Nabucco Q&A - Recorded after the May 13, 2012 performance (audio only)
Listen to Christina Scheppelmann, WNO Director of Artistic Operations, interview Nabucco cast members as well as the and conductor, Philippe Auguin.
Listen to Christina Scheppelmann, WNO Director of Artistic Operations, interview Nabucco cast members as well as the and conductor, Philippe Auguin.
Making of Opera: Nabucco - An Introduction
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Nabucco, Verdi's Italian masterpiece. Go behind the scenes with the Washington National Opera and discover what it takes to bring an opera to life.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 1/15: Verdi at 27 (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 2/15: In the burning temple of Solomon (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 3/15: Zaccaria's council (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 4/15: Ismaele, Fenena - and Abigaille (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 5/15: Act One Finale - Nabucco and Zaccaria, the confrontation (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 6/15: Abigaille in Babylon (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 7/15: Zaccaria's prayer (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 8/15: Act Two Finale - The struggle for power (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 9/15: Nabucco and Abigaille, the confrontation (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 10/15: On the banks of the Euphrates - ‘Va, pensiero’ (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 11/15: Act Three Finale, Zaccaria and the Hebrews (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 12/15: Nabucco’s conversion (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 13/15: Fenena at the sacrificial altar (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 14/15: Act Four Finale - The rescue… (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
WNO Commentary: Nabucco 15/15: …and the death of Abigaille (audio only)
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
Musicologist Saul Lilienstein offers his commentary on Verdi’s Nabucco, featuring insights about the music and history. Watch the WNO's production of Nabucco running from April 28th to May 21st, 2012. Musical excerpts used courtesy of EMI Classics.
David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO.
Generous support for WNO Italian opera is provided by Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello.
Additional support for Nabucco is provided by The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
![[National Endowment for the Arts logo.]](/images/sponsor_logos/nea.gif)
All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.
Group of 20 or more? Group Sales offers special terms and discounts for most performances.
This event has already closed.
Please use the event calendar to search for current events.
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