Nabucco

Instruments:

• 2 Bb Trumpets
• Bb Trumpet (doubling Flugelhorn in Bb)
• 2 F Horns
• 2 Trombones
• Tuba

This opera by G. Verdi, coming from his twenties earned him a solid reputation, uses chorus very effectively. It is in the traditional opera style, with a great improvement in dramatic exhibition. The contribution of the Chorus, whose origins come from Greek drama, reached a zenith with Verdi.

Nabucco's setting is the Israelite Babylonian captivity from the Old Testament. The opening chorus "Gli arredi festivi giu cadano infranti" is a prayer that the Israelite people offer in Solomon's Temple during an invasion by troops of the Babylonian king Nabucco. While the roar of the enemy force outside thunders in the temple, the Israelites decry the assault. The Priests offer their prayer quietly but strongly as maidens, in contrast to the men, sing elegantly and nobly. The people then reaffirm their unyielding loyalty to their God.