In the organizer's words:

Part One: Jerusalem
In the temple of Jerusalem, the Hebrews pray to their God to protect them from the Babylonian king Nabucco and his army. Zaccaria, the high priest of the Hebrews, exhorts the people to trust in God: Fenena, Nabucco's younger daughter, could bring about peace. Out of love, Fenena had once freed Ishmaele, the nephew of the Hebrew king, from Babylonian captivity and escaped with him. Now she is a hostage among the Hebrews. Nabucco's elder daughter, Abigaille, enters the temple with her warriors disguised as Hebrews. She also loves Ismaele and is prepared to spare the Hebrew people if Ismaele would return her love. He rejects her. Nabucco appears triumphantly. To prevent the temple from being desecrated, Zaccaria threatens to kill Fenena - but Ismaele frees his beloved. Nabucco, Abigaille and the Babylonian warriors seek revenge. Zaccaria and the Hebrew people curse the traitor Ismaele.

Part Two: The Wicked
Back in Babylon, Abigaille finds a document that reveals her true origins: she is only the daughter of a slave and therefore Fenena is the rightful heir to the throne. Nabucco has already handed over the regency to her while he is on a campaign. The high priest of Baal tells Abigaille that Fenena wants to release the Hebrew prisoners who have been deported to Babylon. The high priest and his co-conspirators plan to crown Abigaille and to this end spread the rumor that Nabucco has fallen in battle.
Zaccaria prays to God to help him with his plan to convert Fenena. The Levites gather together; they are irreconcilable towards Ismaele. Zaccaria and his sister Anna ask God to forgive Ismaele. When Fenena hears that Nabucco has fallen and that Abigaille now wants to become queen, she is determined to punish the Babylonian rebels. Supported by the high priest, Abigaille tries to wrest the crown from Fenena. Nabucco, who was thought to be dead, returns and demands to be worshipped not only as king but also as a god. A ray of lightning punishes his arrogance and Nabucco goes mad. Abigaille crowns herself.

Part Three: The prophecy
Abigaille accepts the homage of her subjects. In the name of the people, the high priest demands the execution of the Hebrews and the converted Fenena. Abigaille obtains her mad father's consent to the death sentence - Nabucco realizes too late that he has thereby handed over Fenena. Abigaille destroys the proof of her origins and has Nabucco taken prisoner.
The Hebrews lament the fate of their captivity. Zaccaria prophesies the downfall of Babylon and their imminent return home.

Part four: The destroyed idol
Fenena and the Hebrews are led to the place of execution. In his despair, Nabucco prays to Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews. The madness leaves him. With his followers, Nabucco frees those condemned to death. He orders the idol of Baal to be smashed, but it collapses of its own accord. Nabucco confesses his faith in Jehovah and gives the Hebrews their freedom. Dying, Abigaille asks the God of the Hebrews for forgiveness.

Sophie Becker
Bavarian State Opera

CAST

• Musical direction Francesco Ivan Ciampa
• Production, stage and costumes Yannis Kokkos
• Lighting Michael Bauer
• Dramaturgy Anne Blancard-Kokkos
• Choirs Christoph Heil

• Nabucco Vladislav Sulimsky
• Ismaele Kang Wang
• Zaccaria Georg Zeppenfeld
• Abigaille Ewa Płonka
• Fenena Elmina Hasan
• The High Priest Roman Chabaranok
• Abdallo Kevin Conners
• Anna Mirjam Mesak

• Bavarian State Orchestra
• Bavarian State Opera Chorus and Extra Chorus of the Bavarian State Opera

Price information:

Prices vary depending on seat category: K, € 132 /115 /95 /74 /52 /30 /14 /10