AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Opera Philadelphia

Nabucco

by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed in Italian with English supertitles
Company Premiere and New Co-Production
Starting Friday, September 27th.

An ancient story. A revolutionary telling.
On its surface, Nabucco is about the epic struggle of the Jews suppressed by Babylon’s King. But to Italians fighting for their freedom from Austria, Verdi’s first great opera was an inspiring call to arms. In an unprecedented spectacle, Opera Philadelphia produces this beloved biblical tale with a slight twist: while the classical story unfolds on stage, 19th century opera goers join the modern day audience. The result? An exhilarating opera-within-an-opera as the Academy transforms into La Scala to thrill all involved, especially with ‘Va, pensiero (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves),’ adopted as Italy’s unofficial national anthem shortly after Nabucco’s premiere. In celebration of Verdi’s 200th birthday and 2013 being the Year of Italian Culture in the U.S., Opera Philadelphia delivers a galvanizing, must-see production.

All artists and programs subject to change.