from Part II : L'Empio, Scene I of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Abigaille, slave, thought to be Nabucco's oldest daughter

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: the royal chambers in ancient Babylon

Synopsis: Abigaille has found the document that proves that she was not Nabucco's daughter but, rather, the daughter of a slave and one of Nabucco's wives who have both been put to death for her birth. In the recitative preceding the aria, Abigaille describes her deep desire for revenge but then, as she enters the aria, she changes the mood to talk about the love she feels for Ismaele.

from Part II : L'empio, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Abigaille, slave, thought to be Nabucco's oldest daughter

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: the royal chambers in ancient Babylon

Synopsis: The High Priest of Baal comes into the royal chambers and tells her that Abigaille's sister Fenema wants to free the Hebrews. The priests of Baal have therefore set up a rumor that Nabucco has died, leaving Abigaille the throne. Abigaille then responds, singing that she has decided that she will indeed take the throne by whatever means necessary.

from Part IV : The Broken Idol, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Fenema, one of Nabucco's daughters

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano

Setting: the Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon

Synopsis: Before Fenema is to be killed by the priests of Baal, she is allowed one prayer which she expresses in this aria. She paints a vocal picture of heaven and God on his throne.

from Part IV : The Broken Idol, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Nabucco, the King of Babylon

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: a room in Nabucco's palace, ancient Babylon

Synopsis: Nabucco has not regained full sanity after he was struck down by a fit (or Jehovah) in Part II. He believes that his only hope for salvation is to pray to Jehovah for forgiveness and strength. The prayer does not go unanswered and Nabucco soon regains his full strength and sanity.

from Part IV : The Broken Idol, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Nabucco, the King of Babylon

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: a room in Nabucco's palace, ancient Babylon

Synopsis: Nabucco has just regained his sanity from an attack by the gods. Nabucco's guards enter and are overjoyed when they find that his senses have returned. They tell him that Abigaille has sentenced Fenema to death. Nabucco, worried, then sings that they must hurry and save Fenema from Abigaille's treachery.

from Part I : Jerusalem of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Zaccaria, the High Priest of the Hebrews

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: the Temple of Solomon, ancient Jerusalem

Synopsis: The Assyrian army led by Nabucco has defeated the army of the Hebrews and is now poised to enter the city and defeat the Israelites once and for all. The Hebrews fear for their lives and pray for deliverance from the coming invasion. Zaccaria revives their hope by telling them that Nabucco's daughter is their prisoner. He describes how the Lord brought them out of Egypt safely and believes that God will defeat this army with the same power and might.

from Part II : L'empio, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Zaccaria, the High Priest of the Hebrews

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: a hall in Nabucco's palace, ancient Babylon

Synopsis: Zaccaria prays to the god of the Hebrews, Jehovah, asking him to help those who do not accept the teachings of Jehovah (specifically, the Assyrians). Zaccaria hopes that the Assyrians will find their way to Jehovah so that the whole world will praise the god of the Israelites.