Nabucco - King Nebuchadnezzar II.
Fenena - Nabucho's daughter.
Abigaille - Fenena's half sister.
Zaccaria - Hebrew high priest.
Ismaele - Nephew of the King of Jerusalem.
This opera is a 6th century BC love story, laced with sibling rivalry, political ambition, and intrigue involving Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II), the King of the Babylonian empire and his two daughters, against a background of the enslavement of the Hebrew nation in Babylon after the King's invasion of Judea and the destruction of Jerusalem.
It departs significantly from the facts of the situation, in respect of the circumstances surrounding the final release of the Israelites after more than four decades of enslavement. Historical records suggest they were freed to return home to Palestine when an invading Persian army led by Cyrus the Great, defeated their Babylonian oppressors in battle, the opera Nabucco changes the final liberation coming about after their captors become new-found friends, find God and convert to Judaism.
Nebuchadnezzar has invaded Judea and ransacked Jerusalem enslaving the Hebrews into exile in Babylon where they are subjected to all kinds of ridicule, abuse and maltreatment. In Babylon, Fenena, Nabucco's daughter has fallen in love with Ismaele, one of the captives, before her appointment as regent in charge of the kingdom whilst the King is pursuing his military projects elsewhere. Much to her dismay, sister Abigaille discovers the king is not her father after all, but she is the daughter of slaves, she also has declared her love for Ismaele but been firmly rejected. A series of events follow in which Abigaille, foreseeing a time when Fenena and Ismaele will rule Babylon together, swears vengeance on Nabucco and Fenena. Fenena converts to the Hebrew faith and frees the Isrealite prisoners, at which point amid rumours that the king is dead, the high priest of Baal appears to accuse Fenena of treason and proclaims Abigaille the new ruler. She is twarted however just as the crowning is about to take place, when Nabucco appears and takes the crown proclaiming himself their only king and god. Sadly for him this blasphemy causes him be struck down by a thunderbolt, leaving Abigaille to take back the crown again. Arrangements are being made to have the Israelites put to death when Nabucco reappears, in a weakened, distracted and dishevelled state, he struggles in vain to find the documents showing Abigaille's lowly lineage, which she eventually produces and tears up, before tricking the hapless Nabucco into signing the captives death warrant, a list which includes Fenena.
Along the banks of the Euphrates river the Israelites are resting, thinking of their homeland and praying for god's help, Zaccaria assuring them that Babylon will be defeated and they will be freed. Nabucco imprisoned by Abigaille, is sitting at the window of his locked room as Fenena and the Israelites are being led to execution, he prays desperately to the god of Israel for forgiveness and for the captives deliverance, promising to convert to the Hebrew faith along with his people if his wish is granted. The transformation is instantaneous, God restores him physically and mentally, he forces his way out of his incarceration and summons his army to regain the throne, restore order and set the prisoners free. Abigaille, full of remorse takes poison and dies, the Israelites and the Babylonians, now united in sharing a common faith, and the best of friends, praise God before the Israelites return to their homeland to rebuild. Perhaps a more satisfying and happy ending, at least for the Babylonians than the horror predicted for them in the psalm.
Perhaps the most memorable aria from this opera is the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" or, to use its more popular title "Speed Your Journey", again using the text of Psalm 137 but referencing only the "the cup of affliction", in the abuse, homesickness and longing for Zion whilst praying for the strength to endure. This popular title exhibiting an air of optimism, suggesting they are finally liberated, reflecting on the suffering of their exile and looking forward to the long journey home to Zion.
Palfreyman, June 21 2026
