Nabucco

Pérez Galdós Theater. Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Pérez Galdós Theater, Las Palmas, Spain

Scene 1 from the opera "Nabucco", photo 2

Scene 2 from the opera "Nabucco", photo 3

Scene 4 from the opera "Nabucco", photo 4

Scene 5 from the opera "Nabucco", photo 5

All photos (5)

Thursday 20 June 2024

8 PM

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Important Info

Type: Opera

City: Las Palmas, Spain

Starts at: 20:00

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

Overview

'Nabucco' tells the story of the people of Israel and the exile of the Hebrew people at the hands of King Nabucodonosor in the year 587 BC. It shows the oppression and persecution of the Babylonians towards a united people who cry out for freedom and defend their identity against to foreign people.

Lyrical tragedy in four parts with music by Giuseppe Verdi and Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the Old Testament and the play Nebuchodonosor , by Anicète Bourgeois and Francis Cornue . It was premiered on March 9, 1842 at La Scala in Milan.

History

Premiere of this production: 09 March 1842, Teatro alla Scala, Milan

Nabucco is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed in 1841 by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera. The libretto is based on biblical books of Jeremiah and Daniel and the 1836 play by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu, although Antonio Cortese's ballet adaptation of the play (with its necessary simplifications), given at La Scala in 1836, was a more important source for Solera than the play itself.

Synopsis

Time: 587 BC
Place: Jerusalem and Babylon

Act 1: Jerusalem

'Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I shall deliver this city into the hand of the King of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire' (Jeremiah 21:10)
Interior of the Temple of Solomon

The Israelites pray as the Babylonian army advances on their city ("Gli arredi festivi giù cadano infranti" / "Throw down and destroy all festive decorations"). The High Priest Zaccaria tells the people not to despair but to trust in God ("D'Egitto là su i lidi" / "On the shores of Egypt He saved the life of Moses"). The presence of a hostage, Fenena, younger daughter of Nabucco, King of Babylon, may yet secure peace ("Come notte a sol fulgente" / "Like darkness before the sun"). Zaccaria entrusts Fenena to Ismaele, nephew of the King of Jerusalem and a former envoy to Babylon. Left alone, Fenena and Ismaele recall how they fell in love when Ismaele was held prisoner by the Babylonians, and how Fenena helped him to escape to Israel. Nabucco's supposed elder daughter, Abigaille, enters the temple with Babylonian soldiers in disguise. She, too, loves Ismaele. Discovering the lovers, she threatens Ismaele: if he does not give up Fenena, Abigaille will accuse her of treason. If Ismaele returns Abigaille's love, however, Abigaille will petition Nabucco on the Israelites' behalf. Ismaele tells Abigaille that he cannot love her and she vows revenge. Nabucco enters with his warriors ("Viva Nabucco" / "Long live Nabucco"). Zaccaria defies him, threatening to kill Fenena if Nabucco attacks the temple. Ismaele intervenes to save Fenena, which removes any impediment from Nabucco destroying the temple. He orders this, while Zaccaria and the Israelites curse Ismaele as a traitor.

Act 2: The Impious One

'Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth, it shall fall upon the head of the wicked' (Jeremiah 30:23)
Scene 1: Royal apartments in Babylon

Nabucco has appointed Fenena regent and guardian of the Israelite prisoners, while he continues the battle against the Israelites. Abigaille has discovered a document that proves she is not Nabucco's real daughter, but the daughter of slaves. She reflects bitterly on Nabucco's refusal to allow her to play a role in the war with the Israelites and recalls past happiness ("Anch'io dischiuso un giorno" / "I too once opened my heart to happiness"). The High Priest of Bel informs Abigaille that Fenena has released the Israelite captives. He plans for Abigaille to become ruler of Babylon, and with this intention has spread the rumour that Nabucco has died in battle. Abigaille determines to seize the throne ("Salgo già del trono aurato" / "I already ascend the golden throne").

Scene 2: A room in the palace

Zaccaria reads over the Tablets of Law ("Vieni, o Levita" / "Come, oh Levite!"), then goes to summon Fenena. A group of Levites accuse Ismaele of treachery. Zaccaria returns with Fenena and his sister Anna. Anna tells the Levites that Fenena has converted to Judaism, and urges them to forgive Ismaele. Abdallo, a soldier, announces the death of Nabucco and warns of the rebellion instigated by Abigaille. Abigaille enters with the High Priest of Bel and demands the crown from Fenena. Unexpectedly, Nabucco himself enters; pushing through the crowd, he seizes the crown and declares himself not only king of the Babylonians but also their god. The high priest Zaccaria curses him and warns of divine vengeance; an incensed Nabucco in turn orders the death of the Israelites. Fenena reveals to him that she has embraced the Jewish religion and will share the Israelites' fate. Nabucco is furious and repeats his conviction that he is now divine ("Non son più re, son dio" / "I am no longer King! I am God!"). There is a crash of thunder and Nabucco promptly loses his senses. The crown falls from his head and is picked up by Abigaille, who pronounces herself ruler of the Babylonians.

Act 3: The Prophecy

'Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein'. (Jeremiah 50:39)
Scene 1: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Abigaille is now Queen of Babylon. The High Priest of Bel presents her with the death warrant for the Israelites, as well as for Fenena. Nabucco, still insane, tries to reclaim the throne without success. Though his consent to the death warrant is no longer necessary, Abigaille tricks him into signing it. When Nabucco learns that he has consigned his (true) daughter to death, he is overcome with grief and anger. He tells Abigaille that he is not in fact her father and searches for the document evidencing her true origins as a slave. Abigaille mocks him, produces the document and tears it up. Realizing his powerlessness, Nabucco pleads for Fenena's life ("Oh di qual onta aggravasi questo mio crin canuto" / "Oh, what shame must my old head suffer"). Abigaille is unmoved and orders Nabucco to leave her.

Scene 2: The banks of the River Euphrates

The Israelites long for their homeland ("Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate" / "Fly, thought, on golden wings"). The high priest Zaccaria once again exhorts them to have faith: God will destroy Babylon. The Israelites are inspired by his words.

Act 4: The Broken Idol

'Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken to pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.' (Jeremiah 50:2)
Scene 1: The royal apartments, Babylon

Nabucco awakens, still confused and raving. He sees Fenena in chains being taken to her death. In despair, he prays to the God of the Hebrews. He asks for forgiveness, and promises to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and convert to Judaism if his prayers are answered ("Dio di Giuda" / "God of Judah!"). Miraculously, his strength and reason are immediately restored. Abdallo and loyal soldiers enter to release him. Nabucco resolves to rescue Fenena and the Israelites as well as to punish the traitors.

Scene 2: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Fenena and the Israelite prisoners are led in to be sacrificed ("Va! La palma del martirio" / "Go, win the palm of martyrdom"). Fenena serenely prepares for death. Nabucco rushes in with Abdallo and other soldiers. He declares that he will rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem and worship the God of the Israelites, ordering the destruction of the idol of Bel. At his word, the idol falls to the ground of its own accord and shatters into pieces. Nabucco tells the Israelites that they are now free and all join in praise of Jehovah. Abigaille enters, supported by soldiers. She has poisoned herself. She begs forgiveness of Fenena, prays for God's mercy and dies. Zaccaria proclaims Nabucco the servant of God and king of kings.

Venue Info

Pérez Galdós Theater. Alfredo Kraus Auditorium - Las Palmas
Plaza de Stagno

The Fundación Canaria Auditorio and Teatro de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the result of the initiative of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, which after years of study decided to merge the Fundación Auditorio de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Pérez Galdós Theater Foundation, in one, to jointly manage the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium and the Pérez Galdós Theater.

The Auditorio Alfredo Kraus (Alfredo Kraus Auditorium) is an auditorium in Spain located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and is one of the most unique buildings in the capital of Gran Canaria. Created by Óscar Tusquets, it was built between 1993 and 1997 with the idea of erecting a lighthouse to protect Las Canteras beach.

It was opened on 5 December 1997. The Auditorium bears the name of Alfredo Kraus in homage and gratitude to the work of the tenor from Gran Canaria. In its main hall, behind the orchestra, there is an enormous window of around 100 m2 that allows a view of the Atlantic Ocean while attending a concert.

The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium hosts the annual Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival and the Canary Islands Music Festival, among other festivals, as well as promoting competitions, exhibitions, congresses and conventions. It is the headquarter of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Gran Canaria.

The Symphony Hall has a capacity to accommodate 1,656 people. Measuring 1,650 m2 , its hexagonal shape was designed for extraordinary acoustics.

In the Hall, apart from the enormous window that opens between the stalls and the sea, there is a spectacular organ which, with its 2,750 pipes, is one of the largest in the Canary Islands and the only secular organ on the island of Gran Canaria.

The organ was inaugurated on 21 October 1999 with a concert in the presence of Princess Irene of Greece. The recital, given by organist Wolfgang Seifen, was in aid of the Fundación Mundo en Armonía.

In November 2002 the Auditorium was extended with two new halls: San Borondón and Alegranza. Eight years later, on 3 November 2010, the range of venues was completed with the inauguration of a multi-purpose hall, also designed by Óscar Tusquets, which incorporates a mechanism for collecting the seats and thus accommodating all kinds of events.

At the Pérez Galdós Theater, past and present come together to offer a space that has been since its inception and continues to be a reference for the cultural life of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria today.

On December 6, 1890, it opened its doors as the Tirso de Molina Theater. Since then, and despite all kinds of vicissitudes - a name change, a fire and its reconstruction, a remodeling and expansion - the most important national and international artists and groups have walked on its boards.

The Pérez Galdós Theater, which currently hosts music, theater and dance shows, as well as the Opera season, has been the venue for the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, the Canary Islands Music Festival, as well as the stage where It developed most of the cultural activity of the capital of Gran Canaria until the launch of the new facilities.