Verdi's NABUCCO – 2014 production

Stage Director, Ruth Mariner; Musical Director, Ben Hamilton; Producers, Cathy Black and Felicity Merchant.

Never wanting in ambition, in 2014 Kennet Opera chose to present Verdi's first masterpiece, an opera seldom attempted by amateur companies. With outstanding singing and acting from visiting young professionals, and some glorious work for the chorus, 'Nabucco' was a triumph or, as one audience member said (unprompted) 'Better than Glyndebourne'!

From the programme:

"Verdi was moved so deeply by the biblical grandeur and pathos of the piece that he rose to the challenge … after its premiere in Milan in March 1842, Nabucco was hailed as a huge success and Verdi found himself catapulted to the elite circles of Milanese society"
"The Jews and the Assyrians all act under the enormous pressures of myriad ruling and determining forces, of which they are acutely aware: love, law, war, and the will of God"
"The meat of the opera lies with the single-minded and power-thirsty attempts of the central characters, Nabucco and Abigail, to transcend the forces acting above them, and how they are punished and persecuted as a result."

Great and Mighty Queen: during Nabucco's madness, Abigail holds court among the rejoicing Assyrians

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"It combines glorious arias, duets and trios with a seminal role for the chorus, which has fine ensemble pieces and acts as a narrative spur" — Newbury Weekly News

"I have seen enough to realise that they have gone from strength to strength; with Nabucco ranking among one of their best" — Report (PDF) from NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association

Nabucco	Chris Jacklin
Abigail	Demelza Stafford
Zachariah	Julian Charles Debreuil
Fenena	Caroline Carragher
Ismael	Randy Nichol
High Priest of Baal	Jim Petts
Adbullah	Edwin Trout
Anna	Julie van Haperen
Soldier	Duncan Powell

The cast

Verdi's NABUCCO – 2014 production

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