In a year when Israel is still experiencing wartime turmoil, the version of Nabucco (known more familiarly as Nebuchadnezzar) being performed by the Israel Opera this month is a stunning artistic reminder of an unsettling chapter in the annals of the ancient history of the Jewish people: the conquest of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple by the king of Babylon, resulting in the first exile, in 586 B.C.
This grandiose production, highlighted by scenes in which the stage is filled with members of the Israel Opera Chorus, whose voices reverberate throughout the concert hall, is a groundbreaking co-production with the Opera House of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and features an international cast.
The most notable visiting artists include guest conductor Carlo Montanaro, director André Heller-Lopes, and set designer Renato Theobaldo. The Italian maestro Montanaro is no stranger to Tel Aviv, returning to the podium after an absence of two years to conduct the Opera Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon Lezion.
There are very few famous arias in Nabucco, but the one that consistently receives the most attention and sustained applause is "The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves," famously known by its opening Italian words "Va, pensiero." Inspired by Psalm 137, whose opening words are "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion," the lament has become one of the most famous melodies in operatic repertoire.
The demanding lead role of Nabucco was sung at the gala opening last week by the Israeli Opera's own Ionut Pascu. The Romanian-born Pascu gave a bravura performance as an actor as well as a soloist. Pascu alternates in this role with Polish baritone Mikołaj Zalasinski, in his second appearance in Tel Aviv.
The debut performance of a newcomer to the Israeli stage – Latvian soprano Julija Vasiljeva, in the role of Abigaille, the adopted daughter of Nabucco – was equally impressive. She alternates in this role with Elena Mikhailenko, a Russian soprano making only her second appearance with the Israeli Opera.
Nabucco will run through Saturday, June 27. The next Israeli Opera production will be Giacomo Puccini's Tosca in July.
