Nabucco by Verdi, De la (2021/2022), Regizat de către Jana Andělová Pletichová, Dirijor Petr Šumník, Miloslav Oswald, Moravské divadlo, Olomouc, Czech Republic

The power of the early works of Giuseppe Verdi lies, especially, in their impressive mass scenes and choral performances. The Babylonians, under the leadership of their king Nebuchadnezzar II (Nabucco), invade Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's temple, and haul off the Jewish population into captivity. The Jewish god Jehovah, however, punishes the king by making him insane. In the end Nabucco, who must also face the intrigues of his supposed daughter Abigail, recognizes his guilt, admits the power and magnificence of the god Jehovah, and gives the Jews their freedom back. The well-known "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" became, at the time of the operetta's origin, an accentuated symbol of the desire of the Italians for freedom and independence.