Experience Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco: A Timeless Opera of Power and Betrayal
This acclaimed historical drama showcases phenomenal chorus scenes and impassioned arias, performed with multi-language surtitles.
Immerse yourself in Giuseppe Verdi's iconic opera, Nabucco, a pivotal work that premiered in 1842. This celebrated production dramatizes the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar II and the Israelites' captivity. Exploring universal themes like war, power, and betrayal, the opera features spectacular chorus scenes and virtuoso arias. Experience a compelling musical journey, often presented with Czech and English surtitles.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Nabucco at Powder Tower in Prague
Exhibition summary
Nabucco is a celebrated opera by Giuseppe Verdi, depicting the dramatic story of the subjugation of the Israelites by the King of Babylon. It is known for its phenomenal chorus scenes, impassioned arias, and topical themes of war, power, and betrayal.
Curatorial context
Giuseppe Verdi's "Nabucco," his third opera and a significant work in his career, premiered in 1842 at La Scala in Milan, marking the beginning of his path to fame. The opera is based on the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon and the Israelites' captivity. While the opera draws from historical events like the destruction of the Temple of Solomon, it fictionalizes Nabucco's conversion to Judaism and the release of the Hebrews, as well as complex family relationships and political struggles. The libretto, a blend of historical facts, biblical legend, and imagination, allowed Verdi to fully showcase his musical talents. The opera's best-known piece, the chorus "Va, pensiero, sull‘ali dorate," is a poignant expression of the Hebrew exiles' yearning for freedom. "Nabucco" continues to be a staple in opera houses due to its compelling narrative, dramatic chorus scenes, and virtuoso arias addressing themes of war, lust for power, betrayal, life, and death.
The performance features spectacular chorus scenes, virtuoso arias, and explores universally topical themes such as expansive war, lust for power, betrayal, life, and death. Performed in Italian with Czech and English surtitles, the opera has an approximate running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission. The premiere for this production was on February 15, 2024.
Admission and ticket notes
Tickets are available for purchase through the provided link to the National Theatre. Performances are scheduled for various dates in March and April 2026, with surtitles provided in Czech and English. Specific showtimes are listed with their corresponding dates.
Nabucco key exhibition facts
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Nabucco at Powder Tower in Prague
Venue
Powder Tower
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Feb 15, 2024
Artist line / attribution
Giuseppe Verdi (composer)
Prague
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