Nabucco, Giuseppe Verdi's four-act lyrical-drama opera, was written in 1841 as his third opera. It is based on an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, adapted from the drama Nabucodonosor by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu, written in 1836, as well as the eponymous ballet scenario by Antonio Cortesi from 1838. Initially titled Nabucodonosor, the opera premiered at La Scala in Milan, and its immense success established Verdi as a leading figure in the world of opera composition.
This opera explores the tumultuous past of the Jewish people, who suffered attacks from Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon and conqueror. They were subsequently forced into exile from their homeland following his victory. Historical events were only used as a romantic and political narrative backdrop. As a great patriot, Verdi was particularly inspired by the scene where the captive Jews, standing on the banks of the Euphrates River, long for their distant homeland. He wrote the renowned choral aria Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate... (Fly, thoughts, on golden wings...). One night, it became the work's central dramatic and musical cornerstone. Following the premiere, this refrain soon emerged on the Italian streets, where people sang it as a revolutionary anthem. To this day, it is often performed as an encore in many opera houses across the globe. Almost four decades after the premiere of Nabucco at the Zagreb Opera, this piece was staged by director Giancarlo del Monaco.
